Electronics Recycler Rapidly Expands Globally Through Acquisitions

Paladin EnviroTech, a newly formed electronics recycling company, has rapidly expanded to become an international e-scrap processing operation in just 16 months. Founded in 2025 with private equity backing, the firm has grown through strategic acquisitions and technology investments to handle 54,000 tonnes of electronics and critical metals annually. The company’s headquarters are in Tampa, Florida, but its European operations center in Helmond, Netherlands, where R&L Recycling operates under Paladin ownership.

Rapid Expansion Through Strategic Acquisitions

In early 2026, Paladin acquired R&L Recycling, an established electronics recycling and IT Asset Disposition business in Helmond. CEO Brian Diesselhorst has spent significant time in the Netherlands integrating R&L into Paladin’s operations. The rebranding effort has positioned R&L as “a Paladin Company,” including sponsorship of local football club PSV Eindhoven. Diesselhorst noted that combining resources enabled doubling profits through larger contracts and direct sales to smelters in Japan and Korea.

The European market offers fragmented opportunities, with many small-to-midsize businesses operating traditionally. Diesselhorst observed that e-scrap consolidation is less prevalent in Europe compared to the U.S., creating acquisition potential.

The company’s expansion continued in February 2026 with the purchase of ICT in Dublin, Ireland’s first R2-certified ITAD provider. This acquisition enhances Paladin’s presence in key data center hubs like Dublin, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, aligning with growing demand for secure, sustainable processing of decommissioned hardware.

US Operations and Wind Turbine Recycling

In the United States, Paladin operates multiple facilities including Integrated Recycling Technologies in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and sites in Tampa, Phoenix, Columbus, Dallas, Laurel, and Lacey. The company is also developing a recycling infrastructure for wind turbine rare earth magnets. In Texas, Paladin is recycling a park of 120 wind turbines, aiming to become the largest windmill recycler in the U.S. by the end of 2026.

Diesselhorst stated that additional acquisitions are planned for 2027. The U.S. operations complement European efforts, leveraging existing collection networks and processing capabilities. Total investment in acquisitions and process upgrades reached $85 million (€76 million), supporting the current annual processing volume of 54,000 tonnes, with 20% handled at the Helmond facility.

Innovation in Rare Earth Recycling

Paladin’s most promising initiative involves Acid-free Dissolution Recycling (ADR), a process to extract rare earth metals from shredded e-waste. The company is integrating ADR into its facilities, starting with Helmond. Developed jointly with Critical Materials Recycling (CMR) under the name Recapture, this technology merges CMR’s material recovery expertise with Paladin’s environmental technology and global collection network. Diesselhorst described ADR as a significant advancement in critical materials management, enabling efficient and sustainable recovery of rare earth metals from consumer, automotive, and industrial electronics.

The combination of targeted acquisitions, technological innovation, and strategic market focus has positioned Paladin EnviroTech for continued global growth. With operations spanning Europe and the U.S., and a clear emphasis on rare earth metal recovery, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on expanding e-scrap and data center infrastructure demands.