Corporate Performance Tracker

Boliden Q3 2026: Smelter Profit Doubles as Electronics and Alloys Feed Slips at Rönnskär

Boliden’s smelter operating profit more than doubled from the prior quarter, but electronics and alloys feed at its Rönnskär smelter fell 3.6% even as total secondary copper feed rose 16.6%. Rönnskär began restoring in-house copper refining in October. For electronics recyclers and ITAD providers, the question is whether the ramp-up will increase downstream demand for their material. Continue reading below.

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. Hardware Circularity Corporate Earnings Tracker
· Mining, Smelting & Metals Recycling
· Calendar Q3 2026
· Nov 3, 2026

Boliden’s smelter operating profit more than doubled from the prior quarter to SEK 1.48 billion, helped by less planned maintenance and higher metal and sulfuric acid prices. At Rönnskär, total secondary copper feed rose 16.6%, while the combined electronics and alloys category fell 3.6%. Other secondary materials accounted for the increase.

For ITAD providers and electronics recyclers, the development to watch is Rönnskär’s return to in-house copper refining. Its new tankhouse began producing copper cathode on October 29, with full production targeted for Q1 2027. Boliden gave no indication that the restart would increase its purchases of electronic scrap.

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Author: David Daoud | Principal Analyst

David Daoud has researched the mainstream IT hardware market since 1996 and expanded into hardware disposition research in 2003. He has spearheaded the creation of IDC’s GRADE certification. Since then, David has been providing consulting and expert advice to companies looking to establish best practice in their IT equipment decommissioning and helped leading ITAD service providers assess demand, understand competition, and forecast what’s to come. David is currently the Principal Analyst at Compliance Standards, which focuses entirely on the end-of-life of IT equipment. He can be reached at 754-229-0095 or at ddaoud@compliance-standards.com

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