Millions of tonnes of shredder fines are generated and disposed of globally, despite compelling reasons for its recovery. The absence of a review of previous literature, however, makes it difficult to understand the underlying reasons for this. Thus, this study attempts to investigate and assess what, to what extent, and in what ways shredder fines have been addressed in previous research. In doing so, guidelines are drawn for future research to facilitate the valorisation (upgrading and recovery) of shredder fines. Previous research concerning shredder fines was identified with respect to three main research topics. The material characterisation studies are predominantly confined to the occurrence of metals due to their recovery and contamination potential. The process development studies have often undertaken narrowly conceived objectives of addressing one resource opportunity or contamination problem at a time. Consequently, the full recovery (the retrieval of valuable resources and the bulk-utilisation as substitute material) potential of shredder fines has been largely overlooked. The main limitation of policy and regulation studies is the absence of in-depth knowledge on the implications of governmental waste- and resource-policies (macro-level) on actors’ incentives and capacities (micro-level) for fines valorisation, which is necessary to understand the marketability of fines-derived resources. Undertaking a systems perspective is the key to recognising not only the different aspects within the individual research topics but also the inter-relations between them. It also facilitates the internalisation of the inter-relations into topical research.

The lack of process development based on a comprehensive understanding of the material characteristics and the marketability of recoverables is the primary reason why the valorisation of shredder fines has not been realised in practice. In response, a systematic approach was undertaken consisting of 1) strategic sampling and material characterisation, 2) establishing gate and regulatory requirements of potential valorisation applications, and 3) initial feasibility assessment of the selected applications, to guide future research.

The material was sampled over ten weeks in order to obtain both average values and variations of the physical and chemical composition. Thus weekly, primary fractions and sieved fractions ZA (7.10–5.00 mm), ZB (5.00–3.35 mm), ZC (3.35–2.00 mm), ZD (2.00–0.25 mm), and ZE (0.25–0.063 mm) were prepared, and analysed, and benchmarked against the requirements pertaining to five potential applications. The mercury and aluminium concentrations are the biggest challenge in copper smelting and only ZA and ZB show significant potential. Energy recovery is limited to ZA, ZB, and ZC, provided the chlorine and metals concentrations are decreased. Regarding the recovery as bulk-material in construction, the reduction of the metal content would likely be a pre-requisite.

The utilisation of fines in the individual applications would either leave a significant amount of fines un-valorised or overlook the recovery of valuable resources. The upgrading of the material to suit the different applications would also require addressing multiple material constraints simultaneously. Therefore, realising the full resource potential of shredder fines would require the integration of different upgrading and recovery processes.

The recycling-industry residue called shredder fines (fines) presents a disposal problem,incurs handling costs, and reduces resource efficiency in general. This study aims to identify thechallenges of facilitating fines valorisation in the Swedish context. Hence, the shredding companyperspective of the underlying factors that sustain the current practice of fines management isestablished by studying the case of a specific shredding company using semi-structured interviews.Utilisation in landfill covering offers the company a secure outlet and a legislatively-compliant lowcostdisposal option for fines. Additionally, lack of specific regulatory standards, unfavourableregulation of waste reutilisation, and lack of market demand for secondary raw materials (SRMs)create disincentives to develop valorisation options. Also, the lack of corporate-level focus on theissue has resulted in a lack of organising for and capacities to improve the handling of the material.Initiating fines valorisation needs to challenge these prevailing circumstances and thus necessitatesgovernmental interventions. Simultaneously, favourable conditions for SRM utilisation are needed;that is, established outlets for fines-derived SRMs and clear regulatory and market playing rulesthat reduce uncertainty and investment risk of developing tailored processes for upgrading andresource recovery need to be available.