Metal Recycling : The monster in the yard: How Panizzolo's Kraken is taming the scrap metal beast

In the unforgiving world of scrap metal processing, treatment plants face increasingly complex and high-volume material streams. It's a reality that has pushed Panizzolo Recycling Systems to develop the Kraken series – a new line of industrial pre-shredders designed for volumetric reduction of the most challenging scrap types.

The Kraken PSH 2300, the debut model in the series, doesn't mess around. With a 630 kW motor housed within a 95-ton structure, this machine handles whole cars and car bales complete with engines, aluminium profiles, ferrous scrap and mixed bulky materials that would make lesser equipment weep.

"We needed a high-performance pre-shredder that could seamlessly integrate with our MEGA hammer mills and support their capacity," explains Mauro Panizzolo, Owner and Sales Manager of Panizzolo. "At the same time, the market was also sending us a clear signal: customers were asking for a solid, efficient machine to prepare even the toughest materials for grinding. Kraken isn't just an addition to our range, it's a strategic tool designed to improve the entire treatment cycle."

The machine's internally developed shaft system delivers uniform tearing in a single pass, creating consistent output that reduces mechanical stress on downstream equipment while enhancing overall energy efficiency. "The design of the shafts isn't just about cutting, it's about guaranteeing a homogeneous output that reduces stress for everything downstream," Panizzolo notes.

Perhaps Kraken's most compelling feature addresses a growing industry nightmare: dealing with potentially explosive materials in mixed scrap loads. Sealed tanks and gas cylinders pose real explosion risks, but Kraken's controlled tearing force neutralises these hazards early in the process, cutting open dangerous components to release gases or liquids before they reach the hammer mill stage.

Built with certified steel structures and high-performance components from Italian and Northern European suppliers, the machine features quick-release shaft systems for simplified maintenance and containerised control units for flexible installation.

The true test comes via Emirates Global Aluminium's (EGA) massive UAE facility – the country's largest aluminium scrap treatment plant with a projected 170,000-ton annual capacity. Panizzolo isn't just supplying equipment; they're delivering a fully integrated solution supporting EGA's decarbonisation strategy.

"We didn't set out to build just a strong machine, we wanted one that would last," says Mauro Panizzolo. "That's why we chose components and solutions that are built for longevity. Our customers need systems that will perform reliably over the long term, not just in the short run."

With flexible control software offering pre-set recipes or custom parameters, Kraken represents Panizzolo's evolution towards complete recycling solutions – machines designed around real customer needs rather than engineering fantasies.

In cooperation with Panizzolo.