Shredded non-ferrous concentrate, predominantly aluminium with some copper, zinc and stainless. Graded by metal content (Zorba 90/95); sensor-sorted into individual streams.

ISRI Grade Name: Zorba

ISRI Description and Specification

Zorba is a benchmark international non-ferrous scrap grade, representing the mixed non-ferrous concentrate recovered from automobile and appliance shredders after magnetic separation of ferrous material and eddy-current/air separation of the non-ferrous fraction. Zorba contains a mixture of aluminium (dominant), copper, lead, magnesium, stainless steel, nickel alloys, tin, and zinc, with the relative proportions depending on the feed material (auto shredder residue vs. appliance shredder residue) and the efficiency of the separation process. ISRI grades Zorba by estimated non-ferrous metal content — “Zorba 90” indicates approximately 90% non-ferrous content (with the balance being rubber, plastic, glass, dirt, and other non-metallic residue), while “Zorba 95” indicates a cleaner fraction closer to 95% non-ferrous content. The specification requires that Zorba be magnetically cleaned of free iron, dry, and free of hazardous materials including airbag canisters, pressurised vessels, and radioactive material.

Composition and Value

A typical Zorba 90 lot from an auto shredder might contain approximately 70–80% aluminium, 5–10% copper (as wire fragments and commutator parts), 3–6% zinc (from die-cast components and galvanised steel fragments), 2–4% stainless steel, with the balance being lead, tin, nickel, and organic residue. Because Zorba contains multiple valuable non-ferrous metals, it is typically priced on a blended-metal-value basis rather than a simple per-tonne price, with buyers estimating or assaying the full metal inventory before bidding. Zorba is among the most important global non-ferrous scrap grades by traded volume, with major flows from North America and Europe to Asian processors in South Korea, India, China, Malaysia, and Taiwan, where sophisticated non-ferrous separation technology allows efficient extraction of individual metal streams.

Who Uses Zorba Scrap

Zorba processors in India and globally use advanced sensor-based sorting technology (XRF, induction sorting, laser spectrometry, colour sorting) to separate Zorba into individual metal streams — aluminium alloy fractions (cast vs. wrought), copper, stainless steel (Zurik fraction), lead, and zinc die-cast (Zebra fraction). Each separated stream is then sold to the relevant smelter or processor. Secondary smelters consuming the aluminium fraction produce die-casting alloy ingots. Copper refineries process the copper-rich fraction. Zinc die-casters consume the zinc fraction. In India, Zorba processing clusters are developing in Gujarat (Rajkot, Bhavnagar), Maharashtra (Pune), and Haryana, supported by growing investment in sensor-sorting equipment and secondary smelting infrastructure driven by India’s expanding automotive recycling sector. Indian government policy on scrap imports under DGFT and MOEF guidelines, along with radiation compliance (AERB certification for pre-shipment radiation screening), is a critical regulatory dimension for Zorba importers to navigate.