EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | APRIL 2026 Magnets

by MARY M. THORNTON
maryt@americanrecycler.com

The recycling industry demand for powerful magnets and industrial magnetic separation products remains high and the type most often used is the electromagnet. The magnetic field involved can be activated or deactivated and at the recycling starting point, where the initial sorting of a materials load may commence, load lifting magnets may be the best magnet type to use.

Regardless of the practices involved, strong neodymium magnets are needed, either in the form of magnetic plates, rollers or drums. All can be manufactured to spec, to meet the exact requirements an end user may outline. The capabilities and products offered by the companies that follow can meet a wide range of tasks that recyclers may need to execute.

Bunting’s Stainless Steel Separation Conveyor, known as the SSSC, is engineered to recover stainless steel from demanding recycling streams, including general recycling, auto shredder residue and wire chopping operations. The system uses a patented magnetic circuit design with high-intensity neodymium magnets to improve separation across a broad range of material sizes.

Bunting

The SSSC is capable of recovering up to 98 percent of small and mid-fraction 300 series stainless steel and up to 94 percent of large-fraction stainless steel from ASR zurik lines. It also removes stainless steel and ferrous dust from wire fractions, producing a cleaner zurik product and improving overall scrap recovery value.

“The SSSC recovers stainless where traditional magnetic systems fall short– and we can prove it. Customers ship or bring their material for testing at our facility and we compile a detailed report, so customers have data, not guesses. Then we engineer the conveyor, feed and discharge setup around the customer’s actual line conditions,” stated Nick Crain, metals industry manager at Bunting.

Several design features contribute to the SSSC’s separation performance and operational control. The conveyor is available with patented 8-inch and 12-inch diameter high-intensity neodymium magnetic head pulleys, designed to capture all sizes of 300 series stainless steel. Variable frequency drives allow belt speeds from 30 to 120 feet per minute, enabling precise adjustment based on material characteristics.

Typical processing capacities average approximately 1,000 pounds per hour and per foot of belt width for small fractions, 1,500 pounds per hour and per foot for mid-size material and up to 2,000 pounds per hour and per foot for large fractions. Optional components include a patented air knife, discharge hood and vibratory feeder to support consistent material flow and cleaner separation.

Crain added that product purity has a direct impact on scrap value. “A few points of purity can be the difference between a premium sale and a discounted load. That’s why separation quality matters. It shows up in the margins.”

Magnetic Systems International

Pat Markiewicz, president of Magnetic Systems International (MSI), explained that the company specializes in problem solving. MSI offers suspended, auto-clean, permanent (SAP) magnets in a multitude of strengths and sizes for the metal recycling and other industries. “We strive to ease any pinch points that our customers might encounter and we’ve been in the business of designing and manufacturing magnetic separation equipment for over 30 years. During that time, we have seen a steady increase in demand for suspended magnets, both permanent and electromagnetic. Whether we are helping a customer that has a 12” belt with minimal burden, or a 72” belt piled with crushed C&D debris, we offer the right magnet to exceed our customer’s needs.”

As the world’s need for more rare earth minerals continues to grow, Markiewicz noted that MSI has stepped up to the plate by offering their compact suspended electromagnets. “Large scale scrap operations with a variety of belt sizes and speeds as well as finer purification plants have really benefited from utilizing our electromagnets in both manual and self-clean options. Through recent advancements in our designs, we have created a more powerful electromagnet than our competitors, which is provided in compact packaging. These new designs reduce cost related to weight, labor and material. This has in turn, allowed us to pass along substantial savings to our customers. This is a point of pride for us,” he concluded.

Puritan Magnetics, Inc.

“Efficient metal separation involves maximizing material recovery, protecting equipment and maintaining consistent throughput. Rotating drum magnets from Puritan Magnetics are engineered specifically to meet these demands, providing continuous, self-cleaning ferrous separation for high-volume recycling environments,” reported Andrea Webster, inside sales and marketing.

Rotating drum magnets employ a stationary internal magnetic assembly enclosed by a rotating outer drum. As material – whether shredded plastics, glass cullet, wood waste, rubber, or mixed solids – flows over the drum surface, ferrous contaminants are attracted and held securely. The rotating drum carries this metal out of the material stream and discharges it separately, allowing clean product to move forward without interruption. “This design is especially valuable in recycling operations where metal contamination is frequent and stopping production for manual cleaning is not feasible. In recycling applications, rotating drum magnets play a vital role in protecting downstream shredders, grinders and screening equipment, while improving the purity and market value of recovered materials. With customizable designs and proven performance, our rotating drum magnets are a reliable solution for today’s demanding recycling operations,” Webster noted.

Puritan Magnetics offers rotating drum systems with multiple configuration options to address the variability common in recycling streams. Single or double drum configurations are available, with double drums providing increased magnetic exposure for applications with heavy or consistent ferrous loads. Drums can be built with ceramic magnets for large ferrous pieces or high-strength rare earth magnets for capturing smaller or weakly magnetic metals often missed by conventional separators.

To further optimize performance, Puritan provides custom drum sizes, vibratory feeder inlets for controlled material distribution and adjustable discharge splitters to fine-tune separation efficiency. For facilities handling abrasive or dusty materials, rugged stainless-steel construction and sealed components ensure durability and long service life. Explosion-proof motors and controls are also available for operations subject to safety or environmental regulations.

Sieb Sales & Engineering, Inc

Sieb Sales & Engineering, Inc. has supported magnet systems for the scrap, steel and railroad industries since 1967. The company supplies both new magnetic handling equipment and long-term support to keep operations productive and reduce downtime. “Bear in mind, there’s much more to hanging a magnet off the end of a crane than some may realize,” advised Ronald Sieb, president. “A lifting magnet is typically used in very rigorous conditions and demands steady, reliable voltage and the controls to match, depending on the application variables involved.”

Sieb works with customers to specify and supply complete magnet systems based on the material being handled, crane capacity, operating cycle and the jobsite environment. The goal is a system that performs consistently and holds up over time – not just a magnet that looks good on paper. “Tell us about your specific requirements,” Sieb said. “Then we will provide suggestions that ensure your machine is equipped with the most productive and cost-effective system, specifically designed for your needs.”

In addition to new equipment sales, Sieb provides specialized troubleshooting and technical guidance to help customers keep magnet systems running reliably. Support is available nationwide through responsive phone, text and email communication. “We offer unmatched technical support and stock parts for all manufacturers and types of magnet system equipment,” Sieb added. “Superior customer service is an integral part of who we are.” Sieb also stocks magnet system parts and accessories and offers magnet repair and rebuilding services to extend service life and help customers get back online quickly.

Published in the April 2026 Edition of American Recycler News