Scrap is no longer a backup-it’s becoming central to US aluminium supply

In this exclusive interview, Benjamin Pope, Chief Operating Officer of Sortera Technologies, explains how aluminium scrap is emerging as a reliable pathway for the United States to navigate primary supply risks amid ongoing geopolitical disruptions. He highlights that AI-driven sorting and alloy recovery are unlocking high-quality, specification-grade scrap at scale, easing long-standing constraints in collection, sorting, and material consistency. As aluminium prices and Midwest premiums rise, demand for scrap-particularly in casting and rolling-is set to grow through 2026 and accelerate into 2027 with new rolling mill capacity coming online, reinforcing secondary aluminium as a durable, long-term solution.

Ben Pope brings over two decades of experience in the non-ferrous metals industry, with deep expertise across the aluminium value chain-from billet and flat-rolled products to secondary ingot and diverse scrap streams supporting the automotive sector. His hands-on experience in aluminium trading, combined with a strong industry network, has enabled him to drive the adoption of advanced technologies that enhance recycling efficiency and strengthen aluminium circularity.

AL Circle: With primary aluminium supply under pressure due to the Middle East crisis, how far can the United States realistically lean on scrap before structural constraints -collection, sorting, and quality - start to limit substitution? As a recycling solution provider, how do you think you can help the United States to accelerate scrap generation? 

Ben Pope: For years, the United States has been a net exporter of aluminum scrap, largely due to a domestic deficiency in advanced sorting technology. Sortera directly alleviates this pain point by transforming mixed scrap into high-quality, spec-compliant feedstock. This allows domestic consumers to access premium scrap grades in volumes that were previously unreachable. 

While structural constraints-specifically quality and sorting-have historically limited scrap substitution, Sortera’s expansion is designed to break these barriers. We are currently launching our second facility with aggressive scaling plans for the coming years. By leveraging our AI-driven data and software capabilities, we enable the industry to move beyond basic recycling and embrace a sophisticated, sustainable supply chain that can withstand primary supply volatility. 

AL Circle:  Amidst the elevated US mid-west aluminium premium and rising aluminium prices, do you already see a further rise in aluminium scrap demand in the market? Standing at this point of time, what is your anticipation for aluminium scrap demand in 2026? 

Ben Pope: We are already seeing a concentrated rise in aluminum scrap demand, particularly within the casting sector. While recent operational disruptions and outages in the North American flat-rolled market temporarily dampened consumption in that specific segment, we view this as a transitory dip. 

Looking ahead, we anticipate that demand will build steadily throughout 2026, but the true "step change" will occur as we transition into 2027.

This shift will be driven by major new rolling mill investments hitting their full operational stride. As these facilities scale, the requirement for high-quality, domestic scrap will accelerate significantly, placing Sortera in a prime position to feed that increased capacity. 

AL Circle:  As of 2025, the US sourced around 22% of its primary aluminium and alloyed aluminium from the Middle East. With this supply at risk, can Sortera’s AI-led alloy recovery offset the supply gap at scale, or is the industry overestimating what secondary production can deliver in the near term? 

Ben Pope: Secondary production is more than a stopgap; it is a viable structural solution. Historically, the most profitable aluminum applications have been driven by high scrap consumption. However, the industry has often hit a "quality ceiling" with traditional recycling. Sortera’s AI-led recovery breaks this ceiling by providing the scale and alloy-specific purity required to replace primary imports with domestic, secondary feedstock. 

Challenging market conditions-like the current Middle East supply risks-force the industry to reconsider what is possible. While some may argue the industry overestimates secondary production in the very short term, they are likely underestimating the speed of technological adoption during a crisis. For those prepared to invest in melting capabilities now, Sortera’s technology provides the consistent, high-spec supply needed to turn this supply gap into a long-term competitive advantage. 

AL Circle:  Scrap prices have risen over 18% this year, now touching USD 3,505 per tonne. At what point does scrap lose its cost advantage, and does that risk undermining the very demand shift everyone is banking on? 

Ben Pope: Scrap historically maintains a cost advantage because its pricing moves in tandem with the primary market. In the aluminum industry, recycling is essentially a "spread business." When primary prices surge-as we are seeing now with the LME exceeding USD 3,500-those spreads typically widen, allowing companies to capture significantly more value through scrap substitution. 

While scrap prices have risen, they aren't rising in a vacuum; they are chasing an even more volatile primary market. The "demand shift" isn't undermined by higher scrap prices-it is accelerated by them. Under current conditions, the scarcity of primary metal makes scrap the essential "relief valve" for the industry. As long as primary pricing remains elevated due to geopolitical supply risks, the economic incentive to adopt high-quality scrap like Sortera’s will only intensify. 

AL Circle: With sanctions, port congestion, and rerouted shipping corridors pushing buyers toward regional sourcing, does Sortera’s expansion into Tennessee and its targeted 240 million pounds annual recycled output reflect a strategic response to geopolitical stress, or is it coincidental? 

Ben Pope: While Sortera’s expansion into Tennessee was driven by a long-term commitment to our customers and a clear-eyed growth strategy, the current geopolitical climate has certainly validated our timing. Our mission has always been to provide high-purity alloys on a scale-240 million pounds annually-that makes a meaningful dent in the domestic supply gap. 

Although the specific severity of today’s shipping corridors and regional sourcing pressures may not have been predicted years ago, our model was built specifically to address supply chain vulnerability. By localizing production in the Tennessee Valley and leveraging our AI-driven technology, we aren't just reacting to market stress-we are providing the domestic industry with a strategic alternative to primary imports. We are moving from a "just-in-time" global model to a "just-in-case" regional model, and Sortera is at the heart of that transition. 

AL Circle: Your vision is to enable near-100% reuse of metals from end-of-life products. In the current geopolitical environment, does circularity become less of a sustainability goal and more of an economic and strategic imperative? 

Ben Pope: Fundamentally, the goals remain the same, but the urgency has shifted. For our customers, circularity has evolved from a long-term sustainability target into a near-term strategic necessity. While the environmental benefits are clear, the current volatility in global primary markets has transformed scrap utilization into an essential tool for operational resilience. 

The recent supply shocks serve as a powerful catalyst, proving that a circular, domestic supply chain isn't just about "being green"-it’s about remaining competitive. By enabling the near-100 per cent reuse of metals, Sortera allows manufacturers to decouple their production from geopolitical risk. This move underscores that in 2026, sustainability of supply and economic survival are now two sides of the same coin.