Dalafer is a family waste processing PyME that is part of the Edesur value chain.
For almost five years, Edesur and Dalafer have been working together in the management of waste such as electrical transformers, disused meters, unused cables, obsolete machinery and all kinds of scrap iron.
As defined by its own director, Fernando Messina, the relationship with Edesur is one of strategic partners. "We have never seen it as a client and supplier, because the truth is that it is much more. We get along well, we complement each other and we move forward together towards a common goal", he said.
Today, with more than 30 years of experience, Dalafer is a benchmark in the recycling and waste processing sector in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires.
One hundred workers in the plant
This family business entered the world of recycling at the hands of its founder, Juan Carlos Messina. Little by little it was growing and incorporating new services to its production processes. Today, they have more than 100 operators working at the plant, plus another 200 who make up a group dedicated to recycling waste.
“We have direct workers in the copper and brass foundry company, and then there are all the indirect workers, who in one way or another are part of the team. In total we speak of 300 workers within the group of companies", explained Fernando.
Annually, Dalafer processes about 12,000 tonnes, which means about 1,000 tonnes per month.
Recycling
The work begins when the logistics department receives a request for waste processing. They immediately identify if they are dangerous or not, for which a different protocol is activated.
When it comes to waste that does not require special treatment, the operating personnel remove and transport the waste to the plant, where it is processed according to its type.
Cables
If it is cable, the process is summarized as follows: double passage through a shredding machine until obtaining plastic and copper, or aluminum depending on the type of cable processed.
The grind is sent to a processing plant, which separates the plastic from the metal. The copper goes to the smelter for the manufacture of semi-finished products such as: bars, plates or wires. Aluminum goes to the foundry to manufacture construction elements such as openings, doors, windows or others.
Waste recycling is carried out with the highest quality standards on the market.
Plastics
Depending on its quality, the plastic is sent to recycling plants, which transform it back into products, such as waste bags or road safety elements, among others.
Electronic
In the case of waste electronic or electrical equipment, such as meters: they are manually classified and disassembled according to their type. Plastic and metallic materials are recycled in the domestic market, while printed circuits and batteries are stored for short periods until they are consolidated and transported to the port.
These wastes are then sent to companies in Belgium, Germany or China, where they are treated with first-rate technology that allows the recovery of their raw materials and minimizes the waste generated.
Transformers
The electrical transformers are treated as follows: the oil is removed, which will be managed by an operator authorized to treat hazardous waste. The rest is disassembled manually, removing the interior with telescopic cranes or overhead cranes, reducing the risk of accidents.
Scrap
The iron scrap is sent to a steel mill for smelting, the silicon iron scrap is sent to a reclaimer, the coils containing copper covered with oil-impregnated paper are treated in such a way that the paper is separated and sent to an operator, while copper is smelted for the manufacture of bars, plates and others.
Waste such as oils, rags, wood, cardboard, paper impregnated in oils are disposed of by incineration in authorized operators, with the corresponding certificate.
In the case of scrap: it is classified and conditioned for foundry processes, with the aim of being recycled.
Circular economy
Dalafer's vision is to promote the circular economy through operational processes that prioritize the reuse of elements and the care and protection of the environment. The incorporation of waste into production cycles by revoking materials is another of its priorities.
Edesur is fully aligned with this vision, especially prioritizing the idea that through the circular economy it is possible to achieve important changes in the new society.