PITTSBURGH — Behr Iron & Metal Co. has gained some traction in its quest to purchase a metals recycling operation in Illinois that could provide feedstock for one of its three auto shredders.

The Rockford, Ill.-based company has been approved for a special-use permit by the Livingston County Regional Planning Commission should it purchase the 1.59-acre property in Pontiac, according to the county planning administrator.

The recycler is seeking to purchase the facility from Crouch Enterprises Inc. but needs the special-use permit because it intends to expand the existing business and decommission and crush vehicles at the site. The property is currently zoned for commercial use.

The Pontiac yard could send its feedstock to Behr’s shredder in Peoria, Ill., which was expanded and upgraded last year (amm.com, Feb. 16, 2012).

Neither Behr nor seller Michael Crouch could be reached for comment.