09-Jan-2007, by Tom Bametzrieder

AMI DODUCO Expands Precious Metal Recycling Capacity

AMI DODUCO, a Technitrol (NYSE:TNL) company, announced a major expansion and upgrading of its precious metal refining and recovery operations. In light of volatile trends in precious metal prices, rising costs of primary manufacturing and as part of the drive towards sustainable development (i.e. preservation and protection of natural resources), the recycling of valuable scrap materials is set to gain in importance throughout the world.

AMI DODUCO's precious metal refining division uses innovative and environmentally friendly recovery facilities to provide an efficient service in the processing of gold, silver, palladium, platinum and rhodium.

By using the key refining processes of melting/electrolysis, wet chemical processing and incineration, AMI DODUCO can process all precious-metal-bearing scrap and waste, including: plated strip and stamping waste, alloy scrap, contact parts and semi-finished products from the electrical industry; used precious metal baths, resins, filters and electroplated metal scrap; precious-metal-bearing processors, transistors and connectors from the electronics industry; catalytic converters from industry and from automobiles; and alloy scrap and sweepings from the jewelry and dental industries. The range of items reprocessed also includes special materials such as silver/tungsten and silver/indium alloys.

In order to keep pace with the growing international refining market, AMI DODUCO has modernized and expanded its silver electrolysis plant, creating a new type of facility with numerous improvements over the traditional Moebius method of electro-refining. The state-of-the-art plant is the only one of its kind in the world, which can handle an expanded capacity of 400 metric tons a year, enabling AMI DODUCO to cover approximately 7% of the world's annual requirement for silver refining.

"The services of our precious metal refinery are used by customers all over Europe. The new facility allows us to add numerous customers from overseas," said Armin Nittel, sales manager at AMI DODUCO's precious metal refinery.

AMI DODUCO is a global leader in electrical contact technology and fabrication. The company supplies contacts and assemblies, contact materials, electroplating and surface treatment services, and precious metal refining and recycling to more than 3,000 customers. AMI DODUCO operates from locations in North America, Europe and Asia. The company's website is www.amidoduco.com.