EU aluminium scrap export rules face BIR pushback over India, Malaysia, Thailand cut-off

The EU aluminium scrap market could face disruption if proposed changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) restrict access to major Asian recycling destinations, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned.

The Brussels-based association issued its response after the European Commission published a draft proposal on September 18 listing non-OECD countries authorised to receive certain non-hazardous materials from the EU.

Excluding countries such as India, Malaysia and Thailand from authorised destinations for ferrous and nonferrous metals could weaken recycled material markets rather than strengthen Europe’s recycling capacity.

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At the centre of BIR’s concern is the capacity of European recycling facilities to handle the grades and volumes that could otherwise move to overseas markets.

The association warned that restricting exports could leave more recycled material competing for a limited pool of domestic buyers. This could put pressure on scrap prices, weaken incentives for collection and make new investments in recycling less attractive.

International trade, BIR noted, plays an important role in connecting different grades of recyclable metals with facilities capable of processing them. This is especially relevant to aluminium scrap, where the grades generated in Europe do not always match the demand or processing capabilities available within the region.

The association had already raised a similar concern earlier this year during the European Commission’s consultation on aluminium scrap availability, arguing that Europe produces more recycled aluminium than its domestic facilities can currently absorb.

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BIR recognises the EU’s objective of ensuring environmentally sound waste management but believes any restrictions should be proportionate and supported by robust evidence.

It has urged its members, industry associations, businesses and relevant governments to submit factual corrections, supporting evidence and practical case studies on whether the proposed country and waste-stream authorisations are appropriate.

The public consultation on the European Commission’s proposal closes on October 16.

BIR is preparing a consolidated response from the recycling industry and is ready to engage with the European Commission, diplomatic missions and other relevant authorities.

It aims to build a legislative framework consisting of environmental protection with responsible recycling, resilient supply chains and free and fair trade in recycled materials.

The debate, therefore, extends beyond where European aluminium scrap can be shipped. For the recycling industry, the key issue is whether tighter trade controls can be introduced without weakening the market and international ties that keep recyclable aluminium in productive cycles.

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