- People
Behind the scenes at Boliden Bergsöe: “you truly feel like you’re making a difference every day”
At what is perhaps Boliden’s most low-profile Swedish facility, a little-known operation is underway. But there’s nothing secretive about it — quite the opposite: at Boliden Bergsöe, everyday lead batteries are recycled. It’s a unique operation, as they are the only ones doing this in the Nordics. “Having sustainability as a guiding principle makes my job meaningful,” says Environmental and Quality Manager Mårten Strömberg.
Not even Mårten was aware of Boliden Bergsöe’s work in Landskrona when he first heard about the job opportunity. But the unique angle piqued his interest.
“I’ve worked in the environmental field my entire career, and this sounded like an exciting industry. Plus, Boliden is a stable company to work for, and environmental issues are truly prioritized here.”
“There’s always a sense here that something tangible is happening.”
After more than four years on the job, he is well-versed in the workings of the small but dynamic facility. Bergsöe has around 80 employees and is the only plant in the Nordics that recycles lead.
“Among Boliden’s smelters, we’re an outlier because we’re the only operation that doesn’t handle materials from mines. We work exclusively with recycling, primarily lead batteries but also other lead scrap. For instance, a while back, we received a dismantled lead roof from Lund Cathedral—that was a bit different!”
High recycling rates for both lead and plastic
For those unfamiliar with the field, associating lead with sustainability might seem counterintuitive, which is why the work done at Bergsöe is so vital.
“Every vehicle with a starter motor has a lead battery, even electric cars, which people may not realize. These aren’t the large batteries that power the car, but rather the lead battery manages all the auxiliary functions like windshield wipers and the radio. There’s a massive volume of lead batteries in circulation. If no one took care of them once they’re no longer usable, there’s a risk the contents could end up in the environment. That’s why what we do is so important.”
What happens to the lead afterward?
“We sell the majority—over 90%—of the recycled lead back to battery manufacturers as raw material for new batteries. It’s not just the lead; even the plastic from the battery casings is separated and sold as material for new casings. Lead has the highest recycling rate of any metal in society, close to 100%. It’s exciting to be part of that chain.”
New technology for a cleaner operation
There’s no denying that lead recycling has its challenges. Most people associate the heavy metal with something hazardous, and Boliden Bergsöe is acutely aware of this. The facility has a history spanning over a hundred years and has been in Landskrona since 1942. Naturally, a lot has changed in how materials are handled since then.
“Historically, this has been a challenge. In the past, we released much more lead than we do today, and local residents are understandably aware of lead pollution. As a company, we have exceptionally high standards because we’re located near the center of Landskrona. We have a responsibility, both in our actual operations and in how we communicate about them.”
This responsibility drives Boliden Bergsöe to continuously work with new technology for even more sustainable operations.
“We’ve just launched a new facility where we remove sulfur from the material before smelting, reducing sulfur dioxide emissions into the air. It also minimizes waste since less iron is needed in the process. That feels great and is exciting progress.”
The high demands on the operation mean that the Environmental and Quality Manager is involved in many extensive and drawn-out permitting projects, with rounds of consultations and plenty of interactions with authorities. But it’s the combination of this type of long-term work and the fast-paced environment of a production facility that appeals to Mårten Strömberg.
“There’s always a sense here that something tangible is happening. We’re making an actual product that you can hold in your hands—something physical that we send to our customers. We’re a small but highly effective operation, and we’re a great team—that’s what makes it all work,” he concludes.
