01
Segregation & salvage of sound fractions
Separating undamaged from affected material so that the sound part keeps its commercial route and only the remainder enters a recovery process.
Recovery & recycling
Cargo Recovery
& Recycling
Where a consignment can no longer be sold as a product, value may still exist in the material. Pommer & Partners coordinates recovery and recycling routes before destruction is considered.
Definition
Cargo recovery
Cargo recovery is the process of retaining as much commercial or material value as possible from cargo that can no longer serve its original purpose — through segregation, reprocessing, alternative use, recycling or energy recovery.
Recovery sits between remarketing and disposal. It applies when the product as such is finished, but the material, packaging or a fraction of the consignment still has a legitimate route.
Recovery routes are constrained by environmental and waste regulation, permits and local law. Pommer & Partners works with licensed operators and does not propose routes that are not legally available in the relevant jurisdiction.
Recovery routes
Tested in order, from most to least value.
02
Reprocessing & reconditioning
Cleaning, drying, sorting, repacking or other processing is considered only where permitted for the specific material and intended use. We do not propose blending to dilute impermissible contaminants or exceedances of limits, nor relabelling that conceals the actual condition, origin or mandatory information. Required approvals and compliance of the end product are confirmed before it is placed on the market.
03
Material recycling
Recovery of polymers, metals, paper, glass, mineral fractions and packaging materials through licensed recycling operators.
04
Alternative industrial use
Placing material where the specification deviation is irrelevant — technical, industrial or non-food applications.
05
Biological treatment & energy recovery
Composting and anaerobic digestion are assessed according to the process and the lawful use of the resulting materials. Energy recovery is a separate category and is not recycling. The route and its legal classification are confirmed for the specific material and facility.
06
Asset release
Planning removal so holds, containers, reefer plugs, terminals and warehouses are released as quickly as practicable.
Where no recovery route remains, the case moves to destruction or compliant disposal. We do not claim that every cargo can be recovered.
How we work
A short route from case to solution.
Recover value. Reduce exposure. Release the asset.
A disciplined framework adapted to the commercial and regulatory circumstances of each file.
- 01
Notification & Documentation
Cargo details, location, condition, photographs, survey reports and available analyses are received.
- 02
Technical & Regulatory Review
Condition, title, customs status, applicable regulation and realistic alternative uses are assessed.
- 03
Commercial Route Selection
Direct purchase, salvage sale, remarketing, recovery, recycling or disposal is selected according to the case.
- 04
Execution
The agreed transaction or recovery route is coordinated with the relevant parties.
- 05
Completion & Reporting
Final documents, disposal or recovery evidence and the commercial outcome are reported.
Recycling questions
When Does Cargo Recovery Become Recycling?
Cargo recovery becomes material recycling when a permitted route reprocesses waste materials into products, materials or substances, as defined under the applicable legal framework. Product resale or reconditioning is distinct from waste recycling, and loss of original or alternative resale value does not automatically make cargo waste. Classification depends on applicable law, including whether the holder discards, intends to discard or is required to discard where those tests apply; off-specification products are not automatically waste, and material with economic value may still be waste. Other recovery, including energy recovery, is distinct from recycling, while disposal is a separate route. The classification and permitted treatment must be confirmed for the cargo and jurisdiction.
Which Recovery Routes Are Legally Available for Unsaleable Cargo?
Depending on the cargo and jurisdiction, routes may include material recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion, energy recovery and other licensed treatment. None of these can be assumed; each must be permitted for the specific cargo classification and location, and carried out by appropriately licensed operators.
How Are Licensed Recycling Operators Selected?
Operators are selected for valid permits covering the cargo type, technical capacity, location and logistics, documentary standards and track record. Where recycling or waste treatment is required, Pommer & Partners may coordinate appropriate recovery routes involving suitably authorised operators, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
FAQ
Recovery & recycling questions.
- What is distressed cargo?
- Distressed cargo is commercial cargo whose original sale, delivery or intended use has been disrupted by damage, rejection, specification issues, contamination, logistics problems, insolvency, abandonment or other circumstances. It often still holds commercial value in a different market, grade or application. Learn more about our distressed cargo services.
- Who buys distressed cargo?
- Distressed cargo is bought by specialist buyers who can assess condition, regulation and alternative markets. Pommer & Partners purchases distressed cargo as principal and, where direct purchase is not appropriate, arranges a salvage sale or remarketing through international buyers, processors and end users. Read how Pommer & Partners buys distressed cargo as principal.
- Where can I sell damaged cargo?
- Damaged cargo can be sold to buyers who work with downgraded grades, technical or industrial applications, or processors. Send the commodity, quantity, location, condition and any survey or laboratory information to contact@pommerpartners.com and we will assess realistic routes. Learn how we buy damaged cargo.
- Who buys rejected cargo?
- Rejected cargo — refused at destination for specification, quality, documentation, contamination or regulatory reasons — is bought by specialists able to place it in an alternative market or use. Pommer & Partners buys rejected cargo directly or manages its remarketing. Read more about rejected and off-specification cargo.
Trust & compliance
Commercial, but always within the rules.
Transactions and services are subject to verification and applicable regulation, including:
- Ownership and title verification
- Applicable customs requirements
- Sanctions and compliance checks
- Environmental and waste regulations
- Local laws
- Cargo-specific regulatory requirements
Purchases and sales require evidence of ownership and authority to sell, or the written authority of the insurer or party entitled to dispose of the cargo. Recovery, recycling and disposal routes depend on waste classification and on applicable environmental, transport and customs rules in the countries involved. Potential alternative use of food or agricultural cargo, including animal-feed applications, depends on cargo condition, laboratory results and applicable food and feed legislation, and is only pursued where the competent authorities and the relevant rules allow it.
Related
Distressed Cargo Buyer
We buy damaged, rejected and abandoned cargo as principal, AS IS, WHERE IS.
Cargo Recovery Companies
How cargo recovery companies, consultants and salvage buyers differ.
Distressed Cargo
Buyers & recovery specialists worldwide.
Abandoned Cargo Buyers
Worldwide buyers of abandoned, unclaimed and stranded cargo.
Abandoned Container Cargo
Solutions for cargo inside abandoned and unclaimed containers.
Unclaimed Cargo
Shipments never collected or claimed by the consignee.
Refused Cargo Buyers
Consignments refused on arrival by receivers or authorities.
Marine Cargo Salvage
Salvage sales and cargo recovery at sea and in port.
Rejected & Off-Spec Cargo
Solutions for rejected and off-specification consignments.
Damaged Cargo Buyers
Wet, contaminated and heat-affected consignments.
Agricultural Commodities
Distressed grain, feed and vegetable oils.
Distressed Agricultural Cargo
Damaged, rejected and off-spec agricultural commodity salvage.
Damaged Grain & Corn Salvage
Grain, corn and maize cargo damaged or rejected at destination.
Red Sea & Middle East Recovery
Cargo recovery across the Red Sea, Gulf and East Africa.
Cargo Remarketing
International salvage sales and buyer placement.
Cargo Disposal & Destruction
When no commercial market remains.
Case Studies
How cargo cases are structured and resolved.
Submit cargo details
Send us the condition report. We will assess whether lawful recovery routes may be available, without guaranteeing any particular outcome.
Send us the cargo details, location, quantity, condition and available survey information for an initial assessment.
contact@pommerpartners.com