Ever since the emergence of recycled aluminium as a key lever for both decarbonisation and supply security in the industry, the United States (US) has emerged as one of the world’s leading exporters of aluminium scrap, with a well-established collection network and surplus generation. Large volumes of US-origin scrap are shipped to processing hubs in Asia, indicating a strategic supply corridor between the West and the East.

That being said, with the stark demand surge for recycled aluminium across the world, the US has also been weighing the value of the metal, and as advised by the Aluminium Association, looking to treat its “aluminium scrap as a strategic asset.” 

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It becomes evident as we take a look at the rise in import trend of aluminium scrap between January and June (H1) 2025, which climbed 31 per cent, from 328,000 tonnes to 430,000 tonnes.

However, in the H2 (as of July-November), the US sourced around 263,100 tonnes of the scrap metal. The fall in import trend can be linked to the 50 per cent US tariff imposition on aluminium, resulting in a scaling back of shipping aluminium to the country.

What is the US’ strategy for its aluminium scrap asset?

With a rise in imports, a decline can be noted in the US’ export of aluminium scrap in YTD November, 2025. According to the trade data gathered from the US Geological Survey (USGS) database, while the cumulative amount shipped till November 2024 stood at 1,920,000 tonnes, it settled at 1,880,000 tonnes for the same period in 2025, reflecting a slight difference of 2.08 per cent.