At VEEM, sustainability is part of how we operate every day. Because all stages of our manufacturing take place in one integrated facility, we can manage materials efficiently from casting to final machining. During the machining process, our CNC equipment produces metal swarf as castings are brought to within microns of their final design. Rather than treating this swarf as waste, VEEM reuses it through an advanced briquette recycling system that transforms machining by-products into a valuable resource for new production.
Within our Perth facility, all non-ferrous machining swarf is collected and processed through a briquette machine that compresses the loose material into small, high-density blocks. The pressure of the process removes cutting fluids and moisture, resulting in clean, compact briquettes roughly the size of a stack of 50-cent coins. These briquettes are then reintroduced directly into the foundry furnaces, where they melt quickly and efficiently without producing excess smoke or hydrocarbon emissions.
This system has delivered measurable environmental and operational benefits. The removal of cutting fluid means the furnace operates more efficiently and cleanly, with significantly lower emissions. The high density of the briquettes also allows more consistent melting, reducing energy demand and improving yield. By recycling 100 percent of our non-ferrous machining swarf back into production, VEEM has effectively eliminated metal waste from the machining process and created a fully closed-loop material cycle between machining and casting.
As part of VEEM’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management accreditation, this initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible and efficient manufacturing. The briquette recycling system reduces both waste and cost, while demonstrating how smart engineering can deliver environmental value without compromising performance.
