Hugo Neu has more than 60 years of experience building and managing recycling businesses. Until recently, the company was one of the largest metal recyclers in the world, and the largest exporter of recycled metal from the United States to destinations throughout the world. A Hugo Neu affiliate processed most of the scrap metal from the World Trade Center after 9/11. In 2003, Hugo Neu led the effort to revive curbside recycling in New York City. In 2005, Hugo Neu merged only its recycling businesses with Sims Group, creating the largest recycling company in the world. Hugo Neu was Sims' largest shareholder until mid-2007, when most of its shares in Sims were sold to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Hugo Neu and Sims Group are now distinct and unrelated companies.