What we do

Recycling specialists for more than 60 years.

We are a major industrial recycler dealing with a wide range of complex non-ferrous metal bearing residues, by-products, secondary raw materials… We represent a more than valuable alternative to land-filling and, as such, contribute significantly to the development of sustainable solutions to the depletion of natural resources.

Our current technical set-up is unique in the recycling world and is based on hydro-metallurgy. Our hydrometallurgical processes consume very little energy and produce very few quantities of CO2. Moreover, we encounter very few materials which can’t be recycled with our processes and are involved in the recycling of metallic components from new applications like solar cells, batteries, low energy lamps, wind turbine components,…

Also extremely active worldwide in the purchasing and selling of raw materials, by-products and products, we are building upon our Commercial Strength. We either direct the sourced raw materials to our Hydrometal plant or alternatively sell them to third parties. Our supplier and client base is highly diversified as they are located all around the world.

As an experienced and reliable partner, we place a strong emphasis on the development of long term and mutually beneficial relationships with our suppliers and clients. We have personal contact with them on a day-to-day basis in order to better understand their needs and to maintain a high level of service.

Our continuous ambition is to strengthen our Group by achieving sustainable growth and development. Our Group’s mission is to be THE reference partner in terms of non-ferrous metal recycling in the world.

History

Established in 1960.

In 1960,  Jean Goldschmidt sets up Cerro International Brussels (subsidiary of Cerro International New-York). His first mandate was to find European markets for non-ferrous metals and concentrates produced in Peru. In this context, he made an in-depth study of the entire non-ferrous metals European industry, visiting all the main plants and sites existing at the time.

Very quickly, he realizes that most of the plants generate residues containing non-ferrous metals in their various processes and for which no real outlet was planned. In the early 1960’s, the first contract for the treatment of a non-ferrous metal residue is signed. This is the starting point of the concept of “having existing residues treated by existing plants”.

In 1982, in the light of a flourishing commercial development, Jean Goldschmidt buys Cerro International Brussels and forms Jean Goldschmidt International s.a. (“JGI”). In 1985, due to the combination of a few favorable factors, Hydrometal s.a. was created on an available former Zinc production site in Engis. This is the start of a recycling adventure which, more than 30 years later, is today booming more than ever! HYDROMETAL is a 100% subsidiary of JGI.

In 1990, JGI sets up Metals & Residues n.v. (“M&R”) in the Netherlands, taking 77% ownership. Their activities are similar to those of JGI with some more emphasis on metal.

The purchase of the JGI Group by Prayon s.a. (a world leader in the chemistry of phosphates) in 1998 enables the Group to acquire a new technical dimension.

In 2002, JGI’s group was moved into SILOX s.a. (a subsidiary from Prayon s.a. and Belgian holding CYBELLE) which is specialized in the chemistry of sulphur and zinc in order to further explore and develop the different companies’ synergies.

In 2008, JGI takes a 35% share in RECUPAC S.A., a French company specialized in the fine-tuning of specific treatments for the recovery of metals. In order to further diversify our metal base, M&R buy Claushuis n.v. in 2009. This company is active in the recovery and refining of mercury as well as in the production of lead ballasts.

In 2011, JGI sells M&R Claushuis N.V.

In 2014, JGI sells its shares in RECUPAC S.A. and gets the license to operate the recycling of EAF dust to produce pigments.

In 2020, JGI sets up Harz Oxid GmbH in Germany, a 50/50 joint venture with Zinc Nacional S.A., in order to acquire the Zinc Recycling Business of Harz-Metall GmbH.