How to Recycle ACSR Cables for Aluminum Recovery

With global power grid upgrades and aging infrastructure replacement, increasing amounts of retired ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) cables are entering the recycling market. Unlike ordinary aluminum cables, ACSR cables contain a combination of aluminum strands and a reinforced steel core, making them valuable but more challenging to recycle.

Depending on the cable design, ACSR typically contains around 60–75% aluminum and 25–40% steel. The aluminum component provides the main economic value, while the steel core creates additional recovery income. In the recycling market, recovered aluminum strands are generally valued at around $2,000–$3,500 per ton, while recovered steel cores are typically worth approximately $200–$600 per ton. Selling ACSR as mixed scrap usually generates lower returns because the materials still require separation and processing.

The key to profitable ACSR recycling is achieving efficient separation of aluminum and steel. A professional ACSR recycling system uses mechanical cutting or shredding to break down the cable structure and expose the internal materials. The processed material then passes through magnetic separation, where the steel core is removed due to its magnetic properties, while the aluminum remains in the non-magnetic fraction. Further sorting can improve aluminum purity by removing residual steel particles and other impurities.

A complete ACSR recycling solution is suitable for processing scrap overhead conductors, transmission cables, and waste power lines. By separating composite cables into clean aluminum and steel products, recycling plants can increase material value, reduce manual sorting requirements, and improve overall recovery efficiency.

👉 Contact Tel: +86 199 0388 6476
👉 Contact Email: hnhonest.zack@gmail.com