Global insights reinforce InfraBuild’s recycling strategy

Recent visits to North America and Asia have provided valuable insights into the future of recycling and steel manufacturing, reinforcing many of the priorities already underway across InfraBuild.

In April, InfraBuild’s Executive General Manager Recycling, Grant Schmidt and Asset Strategy and Improvement Manager, Emanuele Deana, attended the ReMA Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, the largest recycling industry event in North America. More recently, members of our recycling team travelled through key manufacturing regions in Asia to meet with foundries and engineering workshops, exploring future opportunities for collaboration and capability development. 

Together, the visits provided a firsthand view of how leading organisations are responding to changing market demands, emerging technologies and evolving customer expectations.

Recovering more value from existing materials

A key theme emerging from ReMA 2026 was the industry’s shift from simply processing more material to extracting greater value from every tonne received.

Across the exhibition and conference sessions, there was strong focus on improving metal recovery, enhancing product quality and increasing operational efficiency through smarter processes and technology.

For InfraBuild, this aligns closely with our focus on maximising the value of Australia’s scrap metal resources while supporting a more circular economy.

Technology driving safer, smarter operations

One of the strongest messages from the conference was the growing move towards “boots off the ground” operations.

Recyclers around the world are increasingly adopting automation, robotics, sensor-based technologies, artificial intelligence and remote monitoring systems to improve safety, reduce manual intervention and support better operational decision-making.

The conference highlighted how technology is becoming a key enabler of both safety and productivity, helping operators improve performance while reducing risk for frontline teams.

“The conversations at ReMA confirmed that the industry’s focus is shifting towards recovering more value from existing materials while using technology to improve safety, product quality and operational performance,” said InfraBuild’s Executive General Manager Recycling, Grant Schmidt.

“Many of the themes discussed, including automation, advanced recovery technologies and operational efficiency, align closely with the work already underway across our recycling network. It’s encouraging to see that our priorities are consistent with the direction of leading recyclers globally.”

Other major areas of focus included:

• Asset reliability and operational efficiency
• Advanced sorting and non-ferrous metal recovery technologies
• Aluminium alloy sorting and upgrading
• End-of-life electric vehicle processing and battery management
• Data-driven operational decision making

These themes closely align with InfraBuild’s ongoing focus on innovation, operational excellence and safer workplaces.

Building global relationships

Following ReMA, Emanuele Deana and Jimmy Conlon from InfraBuild’s recycling team travelled through several manufacturing regions in Asia, covering more than 1,400 kilometres by road and rail.

The visit focused on validating the capability and capacity of selected foundries and engineering workshops while building relationships that may support future collaboration opportunities.

The trip provided valuable insight into Asia’s manufacturing supply base and helped validate the engineering capabilities and production practices of potential suppliers for recycling plant equipment and components.

Looking ahead

While separated by geography, both visits delivered a consistent message: the future of recycling will be shaped by technology, operational efficiency, product quality and the ability to recover more value from existing resources.

Importantly, the discussions and site visits confirmed that many of the initiatives already underway across InfraBuild are aligned with where the global industry is heading.

By continuing to invest in innovation, safety and resource recovery, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver better outcomes for customers, improve productivity and support a more sustainable future for Australian manufacturing.