Europe’s recycled aluminium production: Germany, Italy and the UK anchor a competitive market

Europe’s recycled aluminium industry is an important component of the global secondary aluminium supply chain, with Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom (UK) representing key national markets. Production across the European region stood at nearly 6 million tonnes in 2023, supported by established scrap recovery systems, industrial recycling capacity and demand for recycled metal. Russia also contributes to the regional landscape through secondary aluminium production units concentrated in several industrial centres.

According to AL Circle’s analysis in its report, “World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry Forecast”, the four countries present different market structures, from Germany’s substantial recycling capacity and Italy’s scrap-based production to the UK’s organised recycling network and Russia’s geographically concentrated secondary aluminium operations.

Germany: Established capacity and efficient scrap recovery

Germany is one of Europe’s major recycled aluminium producers, with an estimated capacity of around 700 thousand–720 thousand tonnes per annum. In 2019, recycled aluminium production reached 691,900 tonnes, accounting for 58 per cent of the country’s total aluminium production. The recycling rate for aluminium packaging stands at 93.2 per cent, while some end-use markets report recycling rates exceeding 90 per cent.

The country’s recycling infrastructure benefits from efficient scrap collection and recovery systems, including the Yellow Bin system and eddy-current separators. Rising energy prices and the non-availability of bauxite have also encouraged greater reliance on aluminium recycling to meet domestic requirements. Germany additionally exports significant quantities of aluminium scrap each year.

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Italy: Scrap recycling underpins aluminium production

After Germany, Western Europe’s aluminium recycling market is led by Italy, holding the position as one of the major producers. Aluminium production in the country is entirely based on scrap recycling, highlighting the importance of recovered metal to its aluminium supply chain.

The country’s aluminium packaging recycling figures demonstrate the role of scrap recovery. By 2020, Italy had recycled 47 thousand tonnes of aluminium packaging, which is deemed to be equivalent to 68.7 per cent of the 69 thousand tonnes of aluminium used in the packaging segment.

United Kingdom: Capacity expansion and an organised recycling network

The UK recorded 800 thousand tonnes of recycled aluminium production in 2019, alongside exports of 450 thousand tonnes of aluminium scrap. It is forecast that domestic aluminium recycling by 2030 may reach 1.6 million tonnes, indicating substantial potential for expansion.

The country’s recovery rates vary by scrap category, which includes nearly 69 per cent of used beverage cans (UBCs), 90 per cent of end-of-life cars and 96 per cent of aluminium scrap from buildings are recycled. The country has 14 aluminium recyclers, although most operate at smaller capacities.

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Russia: Secondary aluminium production across industrial centres

Russia’s secondary aluminium production units are concentrated in and around Moscow, the Urals, including the Yekaterinburg and Perm regions, Samara and St Petersburg. Permtsvetmet JSC (PTM) and Rusal Alumetal Group are among the major European recycled aluminium producers, with operations listed across Russia and Poland. 

This concentration of production across established industrial centres provides a useful starting point for companies assessing the country’s secondary aluminium sector. Further evaluation of individual facilities and their available capacities would be necessary before making sourcing or investment decisions.

Market outlook: Scrap availability remains central to competitiveness

Europe’s approximately 6-million-tonne recycled aluminium production base in 2023 underscores the region’s importance to the global secondary aluminium industry. Germany offers substantial capacity and established scrap recovery systems, Italy relies heavily on scrap-based production, the UK presents expansion potential and Russia contributes through geographically concentrated production facilities.

For recyclers, manufacturers and procurement teams, the commercial priority is to assess scrap availability, processing capacity and the capabilities of individual suppliers. AL Circle’s report, “World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry Forecast”, provides industry insights to support informed sourcing and investment decisions. As recycled aluminium becomes increasingly important to industrial sourcing strategies, access to suitable feedstock and efficient recovery infrastructure will remain critical to strengthening supply chains across Europe. 

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