SECOND LIFE for Construction Waste
by Metalco
On the outskirts of Luqa, down a road so aptly named Scrap Lane, a family business has spent the past century proving that one person’s demolition debris is another’s raw material.
Metalco Ltd has been part of Malta’s industrial landscape since 1920, when Antonio Cremona first started dealing in scrap after the First World War. Five generations later, the company has evolved into one of the island’s largest recyclers of scrap metal – but its role in the construction and property sectors goes far beyond simply buying waste.
The company offers what might be called a “fill-circle” solution for construction and industrial clients. Beyond purchasing scrap metal – with payment available by cheque or Revolut on delivery, and what the company describes as “the best prices on the island”, Metalco provides specialised dismantling services for factories and industrial sites.
This is not a casual operation. When Metalco takes on a factory dismantling contract, the scope includes managing all necessary dumping and seeing the project through until the site is cleared. For construction firms, this removes a significant headache: instead of coordinating multiple contractors for demolition, waste removal, and material disposal, they have a single point of responsibility.
The company also operates a cable stripping plant that processes all types of electrical wiring, separating copper from its rubber casing so both materials can be redirected into productive use rather than landfill.
What further distinguishes Metalco from a standard scrapyard is the destination of the materials it processes. The company has developed export markets reaching as far afield as Italy, France and Japan. The price Metalco pays reflects international market dynamics, which is why it emphasises that scrap values fluctuate with the metal exchange.
BEYOND METAL: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
In today’s data-driven world, the value of accurate and timely information cannot be overstated. Surveying is no longer limited to measurement – it is about delivering actionable insights that inform critical decisions. Mr. Micallef recognises that high-quality data underpins successful planning, design, and construction processes.
A CONTRIBUTOR, NOT JUST A PRACTITIONER
While metal recycling remains the core business, Metalco’s service offering extends into other areas, For example, the company also operates document and product destruction services, which have attracted contracts from government entities and private sector clients alike.
“the company also operates document and product destruction services”
A FAMILY BUSINESS WITH LONG-TERM THINKING
“We always think long term,” Raymond Fenech, who runs the firm with his cousins Charles and Paul Cremona, had said. That philosophy has carried Metalco through nearly 106 years of operation, navigating fluctuating metal prices, changing regulations, and through the evolution of Malta’s construction industry.
The company owns its site on Scrap Lane – land that has been in the family for some 60 years – which enables it to offer competitive pricing without the pressure of leasehold costs. For construction clients, this stability translates into a reliable partner who will still be there for the next project, and the one after that.
CONCLUSION
In an era when construction firms face increasing pressure around sustainability, waste management, and environmental reporting, having a recycling partner with Metalco’s depth of experience is a competitive advantage. The company offers a way to turn a cost centre (waste disposal) into a revenue stream (scrap value), while ensuring that materials stay in productive use rather than ending up in the landscape.
For demolition contractors, factory dismantling specialists, and general construction firms, Metalco provides something increasingly valuable: a century-old track record of knowing exactly what to do with the stuff everyone else leaves behind.
Metalco Ltd
48, Scrap Lane,
Valletta Road, Luga, Malta
T: +356 2729 8279
E: info@metalcoltd.com
f : www.facebook.com/MetalcoLtd/
WWW.METALCOLTD.COM
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