Anchor Group Ltd: Managing Magnetic Waste Sustainably

Anchor Group Ltd, formerly Anchor Magnets Ltd, is a Sheffield-based specialist manufacturer and supplier of magnetic, receptive and advanced materials. Established in 1984 and based in Darnall, Sheffield, the company has grown into a recognised leader in the magnetic materials industry.

With a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and UK manufacturing, Anchor Group delivers tailored material solutions to customers across retail, automotive, healthcare, signage, display, and specialist industrial sectors worldwide.

The Challenge

Although the business had developed processes at their Sheffield site to recycle certain types of flexible magnetic material many products are difficult to recycle because they are combined with adhesives, vinyl, inks and other laminated layers. As sustainability expectations continue to grow. These mixed-material constructions make it difficult to recover and reuse the magnetic component effectively.

Anchor Group partnered with SYIP to investigate sustainable solutions to one of the key challenges facing the magnetic materials industry.

The Project

The business partnered with Sheffield Hallam University’s School of Engineering & Built Environment to explore sustainable routes for recovering and adding value to magnetic sheet waste. This was important to support Anchor Group’s commitment to circular economy practices, responsible manufacturing, and long-term business resilience.

Petya Shay, Managing Director of Anchor Group explained:

‘The research highlighted several technically feasible recycling routes for processing key waste streams and uncovered an exciting opportunity to repurpose recovered magnetic materials for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. This could create a new generation of sustainable, higher-value products while reducing waste and supporting environmental goals.’

Beyond sustainability benefits, the project has opened up potential opportunities in specialist markets including electronics, healthcare, automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing.

On their experience of working with SYIP, Petya said:

"Throughout the project, the SYIP team have been helpful, resourceful, and highly responsive to our requirements, providing valuable support at every stage."

To find out more about SYIP and how we could help your organisation innovate, please contact: innovation@shu.ac.uk.

The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme is being delivered by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with The University of Sheffield and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and is part-funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.