Aurubis subsidiary RETORTE expanding selenium production for profitable growth markets

• Groundbreaking for around € 7 million investment in production plant that meets good manufacturing practice standards at Röthenbach site
• Global growth potential for RETORTE in high-margin food and pharmaceutical industries
• Strengthening RETORTE as a building block in Aurubis’ multimetal material cycle

Röthenbach, June 22, 2023 – Today marked the groundbreaking for the construction of a state-of-the-art production plant at Aurubis subsidiary RETORTE in Röthenbach a.d.Pegnitz. The plant will expand selenium production in keeping with “good manufacturing practice” (GMP) starting in mid-2025. This investment of around € 7 million is a sign of multimetal producer Aurubis’ commitment to further expanding RETORTE’s profitable selenium business in the food and pharmaceutical industries and positioning the German site for the future.

“For years now, RETORTE has successfully operated in the niche market of selenium production and is an important building block in our multimetal material cycle. It turns raw selenium, a by-product of copper smelting, into valuable selenium products and markets them profitably,” Aurubis CFO Rainer Verhoeven explained at the groundbreaking. “With this investment in the new production plant, we are strengthening RETORTE’s market position and enabling additional, global growth.” 

The highest food and pharmaceutical industry standards in keeping with good manufacturing practice

In addition to other industries, food and pharmaceuticals offer excellent growth potential for RETORTE that GMP-compliant production will secure and expand. This certified industry standard requires a closed production cycle that eliminates any impurities and guarantees the absolute purity of the processes. The new investment puts RETORTE in a position to tap the sub-markets for selenite and selenate – used as a trace element in many consumer goods including table salt, vitamin products, and immune sprays – even more effectively.

“We will consistently and cost-effectively implement the healthcare industry’s high quality standards and the regulatory requirements for our industry-specific certifications in the new production plant. At the same time, we are heightening our competitiveness by increasing our production capacity and expanding our product line,” RETORTE Managing Director Steffan Huber explained the rationale behind the investment. “This allows us to access attractive international growth markets – such as in South America, China, and Southeast Asia – offer even more custom-tailored solutions to our customers worldwide, and take advantage of attractive growth rates.”

New production plant increases occupational safety and environmental protection at the Röthenbach site

RETORTE is investing a total of around € 7 million in the new production facility for synthesizing, drying, and mixing selenium products with an annual throughput volume of around 50 tons. The new building’s footprint is around 700 m² and includes space for storage and expansion in addition to in-house production. The construction project directly targets better occupational safety and the further expansion of environmental protection at the site, in part through state-of-the-art exhaust and filter systems and improved automation.

Joined by Deputy District Administrator of the Nürnberg District, Gabriele Drechsler, Röthenbach Mayor Klaus Hacker said, “RETORTE has been successfully operating at the Röthenbach site for over 70 years and is one of the most important employers, trainers, and social partners in our region. So, we are even happier to see this forward-looking investment from Aurubis in the site since it also signals a commitment to the community and safeguards local jobs.”

RETORTE – Global market leader in selenium production

As the global market leader, RETORTE produces around 50 different selenium products and supplies around 500 customers from 15 industries worldwide. These include the glass, feed, solar, semi-conductor, and optical industries along with the pharmaceutical, electroplating, steel, and fertilizer industries. Metalloid raw selenium occurs as a copper refining by-product in the anode slime generated during electrolysis. RETORTE processes it into extremely pure selenium and selenium compounds. At the Röthenbach a.d.Pegnitz site in Germany with 41 employees, RETORTE production adheres to the highest environmental and ethical standards and is certified in accordance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001 along with FSSC 22000 and FAMI QS. The site was founded in 1949 and has been part of the Aurubis Group since 1974. More information at: www.aurubis.com/retorte

Aurubis - Metals for Progress

Aurubis AG is a leading global provider of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. The company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, organic and inorganic metal-bearing recycling materials, and industrial residues into metals of the highest quality. Aurubis produces more than 1 million tons of copper cathodes annually, and from them a variety of products such as wire rod, continuous cast shapes, profiles, and flat rolled products made of copper and copper alloys. Aurubis produces a number of other metals as well, including precious metals, selenium, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc. The portfolio also includes additional products such as sulfuric acid and iron silicate.  

Sustainability is a fundamental part of the Aurubis strategy. “Aurubis responsibly transforms raw materials into value” – following this maxim, the company integrates sustainable conduct and business activities into the corporate culture. This involves a careful approach to natural resources, responsible social and ecological conduct in everyday business, and sensible, healthy growth.  

Aurubis has around 7,100 employees, production sites in Europe and the USA, and an extensive distribution network around the world. 

Aurubis shares are part of the Prime Standard Segment of the German Stock Exchange and are listed in the MDAX, the Global Challenges Index (GCX), and the STOXX Europe 600.  

More information at www.aurubis.com