France’s aluminium scrap export expected to grow 3% YoY in 2019; Italy and Spain to remain the leading importers

France is one of the key growth markets in the European aluminium industry. Packaging, building, and automobile are some of the key sectors that drive the aluminium consumption in France and generate a substantial amount of scrap every year. The highest recycling percentages can be seen in the construction and transport sector of up to 95%, while the packaging sector is equally growing as well, due to the increased uses of foils and cans. The average European car contains over 130 kilograms of aluminium and this level is increasing which is also boosting the amount of end-of-life aluminium scrap generation from the automotive sector.

So, if we take a look at the trend of aluminium scrap export by France, we can see that the country has been recording an incessant rise in its scrap export over the years. In 2016, the European nation had exported around 316,403 tonnes, which in 2017 had increased to 461,445 tonnes, up 46 per cent. In 2018, extending the rise further by 9.2 per cent, France’s aluminium scrap export pegged at 503,923 tonnes. This year is likely to be no exception either, as the global export-import data expects France’s aluminium scrap export to grow 3.24 per cent to 520,258 tonnes.

As far as the export value is concerned, it is rising as well along with the export volume. In 2016, France had yielded around US$244 million from its aluminium scrap export, which in 2017 had increased to US$368 million, up 51 per cent.  In 2018, the value continued to rise and reached US$414 million, which was almost 13 per cent higher from the previous year. This year is estimated to see further growth by about 2 per cent in the export volume to stand at US$422 million.

Italy and Spain are expected to remain a mainstay in 2019 as the leading aluminium scrap importers from France. Italy is estimated to purchase 118,055 tonnes at US$114 million, while Spain 109,852 tonnes at US$72 million.