The digital revolution at the scrap yard
We are at a tipping point where the old, analogue scrap yard meets the digital revolution. In 2026, metal recycling is no longer just a matter of brute strength and magnets, but of advanced algorithms and precision robotics. Here we explore the technology that makes the impossible possible and how Skrotify is leading the digital transformation in the industry.
For decades, much of our complex metal waste has ended up in landfill because it has been too expensive or technically difficult to sort. But as raw material shortages increase and technology matures, we are now seeing a transformation that changes the playing field for both the environment and industry profitability.
AI sorting: When machines see what humans miss
The most cutting-edge technology in 2026 is AI-powered image recognition combined with laser sensors (LIBS). Where a human sorter sees a pile of mixed scrap metal, an AI system can identify specific alloys in milliseconds.
By training algorithms on millions of images of metal fragments, sorting plants can now separate different grades of aluminum or stainless steel with nearly 100 percent purity. This means that metals that were previously considered “contaminated” and sent to landfill, can now be recycled and sold as high-quality raw material. For Skrotify's customers, this technology maximizes the value of the collected material, while drastically reducing the need for new mining.
The revolution in battery recycling
In line with electrification, 2026 has become the year when battery recycling reached an industrial scale. Innovations in hydrometallurgy now make it possible to recover up to 95% of the critical metals in electric car batteries, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel.
This creates a completely circular value chain in which old vehicle batteries are transformed into new ones, without leaving Europe. Skrotify is at the forefront by offering logistics solutions specifically tailored to these complex and valuable flows, making us a key player in the green transition.
Skrotify: A tech-driven contender in an analog industry
Metal recycling has long been an industry characterized by heavy paper flows and a lack of transparency. Skrotify was born from the idea of challenging this by applying modern software technology to a traditional industry.
- Digital traceability: Through our platform, every kilogram of metal can be tracked from retrieval to final processing, giving our partners the data they need for their sustainability accounts.
- Data-Driven Logistics: We use smart algorithms to match pickups with the nearest carrier, minimising empty runs and lowering emissions.
- Transparent Real-Time Pricing: By linking our platform directly to the commodities exchange, we eliminate guessing games and provide our clients with fair prices based on up-to-date technology data.
The future is here
The technology to create a fully circular metal industry already exists — what is required are platforms that can tie the sack together. Skrotify is not just an intermediary of scrap materials; we are a technology company building the infrastructure for the resource management of the future.
Are you ready to take your metal recycling into the future? Experience the difference with a digital partner that combines industry knowledge with modern technology.
Read more about our technical solutions and book your first digital pickup here
