Electronic Waste Shredding

The challenge: processing complex, high-value materials

Electronic waste shredding (RAEE – Rifiuti di Apparecchiature Elettriche ed Elettroniche / WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) represents one of the most complex applications in the industrial recycling sector.

Hard drives, laptops, computers, electronic boards (PCBs), small appliances, and electronic devices contain:

  • Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
  • Aluminum and alloyed steels
  • High-conductivity copper
  • Technical plastics
  • Fragile electronic components
  • Parts with high density and metal inserts
Electronic Waste Shredding

This heterogeneity makes WEEE shredding a process that requires:

  • High torque for material penetration
  • Output particle size control
  • Wear resistance
  • Integration with separation systems (magnets, eddy currents, screens)

Critical Issues in WEEE Shredding

A non-specialized approach can generate equipment downtime, premature wear, and loss of separation efficiency, because WEEE contains materials with very different densities, hardness levels, and geometries.

Without the correct combination of torque, blade geometry, screen, and feeding logic, there are risks of overloads, non-compliant particle size, and, in the case of hard drives and digital media, data destruction compliance issues.

Specific Challenge Consequences of a Non-Specialized Approach
Presence of thick steels or high-resistance components Overloads, machine blockages, and accelerated blade wear
Irregular and bulky material Discontinuous feeding and reduced productivity
Need for certified data destruction (hard drives, servers) Legal risks and regulatory non-compliance
Abrasive components (PCBs, metals) Increased maintenance costs and tool replacement
Requirement for controlled particle size for metal separation Reduced efficiency of downstream equipment

The SatrindTech solution: Shredding engineering for WEEE

At SatrindTech, we do not simply supply a shredder, but an engineered system for electronic waste shredding, designed according to the material, required productivity, and recovery objectives.

Our shredding technology – developed over 40 years of experience and with more than 4,000 installations worldwide – includes 1 to 4-shaft machines, with high-torque configurations for penetrating the most resistant materials.

Triturazione rifiuti raee
Real application examples

Specific application for WEEE with:

  • Production: approximately 500 kg/h
  • Final particle size compatible with 40 mm screen (approximately 30×30 mm)

Ideal for:

  • Small WEEE facilities
  • Controlled destruction of electronic devices
  • Preparation for metal recovery

For applications on:

  • WEEE (excluding material containing thick steels)
  • Productivity: 1200 kg/h
  • Particle size compatible with 60 mm screen

Recommended solution for:

  • Electronic boards (PCBs)
  • Mixed electronic waste
  • Recycling facilities with automated separation line

Example machine designed for shredding light WEEE devices:

  • 2-shaft shredder
  • 24 blades, 30 mm thickness
  • Power 55 kW
  • Feed opening 1258 x 714 mm

Ideal configuration for:

  • Hard drives
  • Laptops
  • Small electronic devices
  • Safe and irreversible data destruction
3-shaft shredders 3K30
3K30
4-shaft shredders 4S60
4S60

WEEE Shredding Objectives

  • Volume reduction to optimize logistics and storage
  • Material separation to facilitate metal recovery
  • Preparation for recovery as secondary raw materials
  • Safe destruction of sensitive or proprietary components

After shredding, the material can be sent to:

  • Magnetic separators
  • Eddy current separators
  • Classification screens

Recommended Configurations for Electronic Waste

Hard drives, laptops, digital media

Recommended model: 3K Series / 2-shaft

Indicative productivity: ≈ 500 kg/h

Final particle size: 30–40 mm

Mixed WEEE, PCB boards

Recommended model: 4S 10/60

Indicative productivity: ≈ 1200 kg/h

Final particle size: 60 mm

Light electronic devices

Recommended model: T 13/75 (2-shaft)

Indicative productivity: Variable

Final particle size: Controlled volume reduction

Recommended Configurations for Electronic Waste
Electronic Waste Shredding

The advantages of the SatrindTech approach

  • Maximum reliability even on mixed materials
  • High torque for penetration of metals and structural components
  • Particle size control with interchangeable screens
  • Integration in complete systems
  • Safe data destruction
  • Reduced operating costs

Typical applications

  • Public and private WEEE facilities
  • Metal recovery companies
  • Document and digital media destruction
  • PCB recycling facilities
  • Copper, aluminum, and precious metal recovery
Do you have a WEEE shredding project?

Every electronic waste application is different, both in terms of material composition and productivity and recovery objectives.

For this reason, our approach always starts with analyzing your specific case: the technical team can evaluate incoming flows, perform shredding tests, and define the most suitable configuration, also ensuring proper integration of the shredder with your recycling line.

SatrindTech: shredding engineering for intelligent electronic waste recovery.