What is lead?
Lead is a chemical element. It is easily malleable, corrosion-resistant, has a high density and a relatively low melting point. It is one of the toxic heavy metals, which is why it is rarely used nowadays. It was previously a much sought-after recyclable material in industry,particularly due to its favourable properties, such as resistance to corrosion and easy processing. That’s why there will continue to be large quantities of scrap lead in the coming decades.
Where is lead used?
Nowadays, lead is above all found in batteries, as alternative elements like gold or platinum are too expensive and other recyclables like uranium are too dangerous. Dealing with lead requires specialist expertise and appropriate safety precautions to prevent any damage to health. Other applications where lead is used are:
- Lead plates
- Lead batteries (small batteries, vehicle batteries)
- Lead pipes
- Soft lead
- Lead cables
Recycling lead
Scrap lead is identified by its heavy weight and rather soft, oxidised grey surface. Due to the toxic properties of lead, it is now recycled using an electrochemical process. This process enables up to 99% of it to be recycled with no carbon emissions. Ultra-pure lead is produced with no loss of quality.
