Every year, and for decades, millions of tons of used metals (steel, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, indium, platinoids, silver, gold, etc.) have been recycled in France., and more broadly in Europe. For example, in France, 6 Mt of steel are reincorporated into French steelworks.

Our sectors of activity have always traced the waste inherent in their production which, most of the time, is perfectly recyclable as is or after treatment on site. As such, pre-consumer as well as post-consumer waste,have the same importance and relevance: an environmental as well as an economic obviousness.

For a few years new projects germinate, aiming for new horizons of circular economy, such as for example recycling of metals from electric vehicle batteries (Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, etc.) and rare earths (Neodymium, Dysprosium…) rare earth magnets.

In this context, A3M is interested - in appropriate intensities - in subjects such as:

• the law AGEC (Anti Waste and Circular Economy) and the Green Industry Law in France

• the REP (Extended Producer Responsibility): End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV), Batteries and Accumulators (P&A), Building Construction Products and Materials (PMCB), Industrial and Commercial Packaging Waste (DEIC)
• European regulations of direct interest to our members:
  • Batteries (Battery regulation)
  • Cross-border transfers of waste (Waste Shipment Regulation)
  • Eco Design of Sustainable Products (Ecodesign of Sustainable Products Regulation)

A3M wants to ensure that the waste that can be reincorporated into our industries remains in France for the volumes that can be treated on site, and at least in Europe.. Have this resource available from the "urban mine" is vital not only for part of our actions Decarbonization, but also in terms of strategic independence "metal". Our deep involvement in the expectations of the CRM Act (Critical Raw Materials Act) explains this in detail.

This resource must therefore be maintained in volume and quality on our soil as far as possible, especially since The future is expected to see increasing volumes of recycling.

For this purpose, A3M is a long-standing partner of ADEME in the work carried out every 2 years of National Recycling Report (and in particular the most recent covering 2012-2021 accessible via the link). A3M also works regularly with ADEME on ad hoc studies such as in 2023 on the improved recycling of steel, aluminum and copper (accessible by this link), or metals from WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

A3M, present at the Board of Directors of the competitiveness cluster TEAM² based in Lens, is also a member of its Scientific Council.

To this end, A3M is at the forefront of new innovative avenues for the circular economy of metals and minerals. As an illustration, link to one of the A3M interventions on the subject of recycling with TEAM² and its members.

A special agreement has been entered into between TEAM² and A3M offering specific advantages to our members.