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...
According to SMM survey statistics, the operating rate of the secondary aluminium alloy industry in September was 35.0 per cent, up 3.1 percentage points M-o-M but down 6.7 percentage points Y-o-Y. Industry production continued its recovery trend, but the overall operating level remained below the same period last year. On the demand side, September marked the traditional peak consumption season, with downstream orders recovering from August. End-use demand from automobiles and other sectors improved marginally, but the peak season effect has yet to fully materialise. According to CAAM data, automobile production in September was 2.99 million units, up 11.4 per cent M-o-M but down 8.7 per cent Y-o-Y. NEV production was 1.814 million units, up 12.2 per cent Y-o-Y. CAAM noted that China's...
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Coffee roaster John Farrer & Co. (Kendal) Limited has reportedly launched a range of recyclable aluminium coffee capsules, in a bid to mark the 200 th year of the company’s anniversary and address the problem of plastic waste. Farrer chose to use aluminium for their capsules for several reasons. Firstly, the system that is used to make aluminium capsules protects both taste and quality of the coffee and secondly, because of the fact aluminium is recyclable and can be reused in myriad of applications like bicycles, food and medicine packaging, construction materials, and electronic components and electrical power transmission. Once the capsules are used and disposed of, they are collected and sent to recycling plants for smelting and reusing. Besides, aluminium recycling is economically...
Germany has always been the leading supplier of aluminium scrap to Poland, with an increasing volume year over year. In 2016, Poland imported 92,173 tonnes of aluminium scrap from Germany, which in 2017 increased by 43.4 per cent to 132,180 tonnes and further by 9 per cent to 142,424 tonnes in 2018. But this year is likely to be an exception, as Poland is expected to import 139,831 tonnes from Germany, down 3 per cent from the previous year, according to the global export-import data. {newsStudioGallery} As the above graph shows, Poland’s total aluminium scrap import is likely to decrease as well in 2019, amounting to 254,844 tonnes, compared to 261,714 tonnes in 2018. In 2016, the total import volume was at 168,115 tonnes, while in 2017 at 233,258 tonnes, which indicates year on year...
The dynamics of the aluminium scrap market are in a state of transition due to the stricter scrap import policies by China, which used to be one of top markets for aluminium scraps. The trade war initiated by Trump’s 10% tariff on all imported aluminium imposed in March 2018 led many countries to slap retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. It is evident that the countries with higher aluminium consumption would be the countries that would also be largest generator of scrap. Since packaging and automotive scraps are recycled and recovered faster, the U.S. remains the top exporters of scrap with more aluminium consumption in these sectors. The U.S. is followed by Germany and the U.K. More than 48% of United States’ aluminium metal supply in 2018 was from recycled metal, and the region is the...
LATAM Airlines Group has reportedly launched an on-board recycling scheme called ‘Recycle Your Journey’. Through this scheme, waste from Mercado LATAM will be recycled on all domestic flights in Chile, separating aluminium, glass, and plastic. This initiative will soon be introduced throughout LATAM’s operation in Latin America, as part of the company’s wider sustainability strategy and its commitment to become a leader in on-board recycling. Ignacio Cueto, President of LATAM Airlines Group said, “As one of the three most sustainable airline groups in the world, we are committed to bringing about change and leading by example. Today’s launch of our ‘Recycle your Journey’ programme on domestic flights in Chile represents just the first step towards the introduction of on-board recycling...
According to a recent report, Nespresso has launched a series of global and local sustainability initiatives to encourage and raise awareness for coffee capsule recycling. The company has even teamed up with Vélosophy to create a stylish city bike, named “RE:CYCLE”, from recycled aluminium coffee capsules. The intention is to establish the potential of Nespresso to recycle its aluminium capsules. Nespresso sustainability pop-up exhibition, “The Capsule Journey”, from 2 nd to 11 th of August, will feature three zones showcasing aluminium coffee capsule recycling journey and the Nespresso sustainability process from bean to cup. The exhibition will also show how Nespresso boosts productivity and welfare for farmers by using recycled coffee grounds as compost. Furthermore, the pop-up will...
According to the survey of Shanghai Metals Market, aluminium scrap supply in China showed signs of tightness in July. Improved purchase among secondary aluminium producers, weaker supplies from domestic scrapyards, and fewer inflows of seaborne materials attributed to the tight aluminium scrap market. This is, however, expected to offer some support to prices of secondary aluminium. The secondary aluminium prices were otherwise, believed to have reached the lowest level with the decrease in car manufacture as a result of sluggish demand. Potential car buyers made their purchases when dealers offered significant discounts to clear inventories in previous months. Moreover, July-August is traditionally a low consumption season for aluminium scrap. Aside from igniting hopes for a pick-up in...
Japan to make 2020 Olympic torches from recycled aluminium platesJapan is promoting sustainability in a big way in 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Starting with the medals to the characteristic aluminium torches, a lot of recycled metal is being used for the games accessories. Japan created hundreds of medals made from recycled metals – sourced from discarded smart phones. Now, the government has announced its decision to make the Olympic torches that are used to kick-off the competition from recycled aluminium. The scrap metal including aluminium was collected in Fukushima prefecture, the region which was devastated by a major earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011. These disasters jointly caused an estimated 16,000 fatalities – while costing the local economy no less than US$ 235...
Malaysia imported 58,500 tonnes of crude metal and alloys, aluminium semi-finished products (plates, sheets, bars, etc.) and scrap from the US in the first four months of 2019, an increase of 25,900 tonnes or 79% from 32,600 tonnes in the first four months of 2018. In April, total aluminium imports by Malaysia stood 69% higher than the corresponding period of 2018. Aluminium imports increased from 11,000 tonnes to 18,600 tonnes, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. On month on month comparison, imports were up 20% or 3,100 tonnes from 15,500 tonnes. Malaysia’s imports of aluminium scrap from the US came in at 57,400 tonnes in January-April 2019. That was up 86% year-on-year. The country had imported 30,900 tonnes in January-April 2018....
According to a recent report, Western Australia will launch its much-awaited container deposit scheme in 2020, with a 10 cent refund on offer for every eligible container returned. This initiative is designed to encourage people to recycle empty containers and reduce litter. Aluminium containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres are eligible for the 10 per cent refund. Besides, plastic, glass, steel, and paper-based containers are allowed in this scheme. As per the report, the scheme will be launched under the banner "Containers for Change" on June 2, 2020. On the same date, about 170 full-time or flexible refund points will open across the state and another 59 refund points will open by the end of 2020. "So, right around the state, wherever you are, you'll have access to a collection...
China’s imports of aluminium scrap are expected to fall 16% year-on-year to 1.31 million tonnes in 2019, as the country expects lower aluminium scrap import quotas in the fourth quarter. Aluminium scrap import quotas are likely to drop to 120,000 tonnes in Q4 compared with 361,000 tonnes in Q3, Shanghai Metals Market estimated. On July 10, China issued the 10th batch of quotas for restricted metal scrap imports for 2019. The batch allows 306,930 tonnes of aluminium scrap imports for companies mostly from Guangdong, Jiangsu and Liaoning. The 9th and 10th batches of import quotas allow a total of 361,186 tonnes of aluminium scrap to enter China, compared to imports of 349,510 tonnes registered in the third quarter of 2018. Major secondary aluminium producers with overseas scrap as...
Shanghai Metals Market survey shows the operating rates of Chinese secondary aluminium producers have fallen for the third consecutive month in June to 52.24 per cent, down 1.49 percentage point month-on-month and 0.5 percentage point year-on-year. Sluggish secondary aluminium demand among carmakers and dealers as they attempted to clear inventories before new vehicle emission standards took effect in July could be attributed to this fall in operating rates. Moreover, continued weakness in the car market grew inventories of finished goods across secondary aluminium producers, resulting in production curtailments in June. In May, the operating rates were at 53.73 per cent after falling 4.6 percentage points from April and 4.2 percentage points from May 2018. Shanghai Metals Market suggests...
In association with Coca-Cola, Russian food retailer X5 Group will reportedly test reverse vending machines in Pyaterochka stores in Moscow, aiming to collect and recycle used plastic bottles and aluminium beverage cans of different brands. As per the report, the vending machines will dispense a 15 per cent discount coupon, applicable on a range of Coca-Cola drinks, for each item deposited by customers. Commenting on the collaboration with Coca-Cola, the CEO of X5 Retail Group, Igor Shekhterman, said, "We are happy to collaborate with one of our large partners on this pilot plastic collection project that represents an important step towards reducing waste.” He also said, "Teaming up to install reverse vending machines at our stores allows us to refine procedures for a potential future...
Italy is the second-highest aluminium consumption market in Europe just after Germany, with excellent performances in particular of the rolling sector and foundry castings driven by the automotive demand. The country, to meet the increasing demands, imports a considerable amount of aluminium scrap as well from various parts of the world. Let us here analyse its import trend from two of the leading suppliers – Germany and France. According to the global export-import data, Italy’s aluminium scrap import from Germany is likely to drop from172,411 tonnes in 2018 to 169,069 tonnes in 2019, down 3,342 tonnes or 2 per cent, despite a rise in its total amount of estimated aluminium scrap import this year. In 2017, the country's import from Germany was at 169,759 tonnes, 1.6 per cent down from...
Gravita's step down subsidiary starts production of Aluminum Cast Alloys in Tanzania Gravita India, a leading Indian multinational company having state-of-the-art Lead and Aluminium processing unit at Jaipur (Rajasthan), has announced that its Tanzania based step down subsidiary, Gravita Tanzania has started commercial production of Aluminum Cast Alloys from its new plant having a capacity of around 6000 MTPA. Gravita processes lead and aluminium scrap to produce Secondary Lead Metal and Aluminium Ingots. The Group has made an investment of approximate INR 6 crore for establishment of this New Recycling Plant in Tanzania, Africa having capacity of 6000 MTPA using the accrual fund of the company. Gravita Tanzania Limited is already operating a Lead Recycling unit in Tanzania. The company...
As China’s import restrictions have changed the market dynamics of the U.S. metal and paper scrap market and the scrap businesses across the U.S. are looking for new markets for recyclable, food and beverage cartons can still have a market in the U.S. According to the Carton Council of North America and Evergreen Packaging, postconsumer cartons continue to be in demand and have good end markets, while markets for other scrap commodities are squeezing. China has never been a market for bales of grade No. 52 cartons from the U.S., so the restrictions will not have an impact on cartons recycling. Cartons are made primarily of high-quality fiber that should not end up in landfills. As the cartons have multiple layers, they are considered complex items for recycling. However, they have...
Madison County in Illinois is expected to go greener soon as it is about to receive new carts from the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama (RANA) for expanding recycling service in the area. Doc Holladay, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Disposal Authority, said: “Those who have registered for carts before June 28th should start seeing them delivered this week. We started yesterday and over the next few weeks, folks will have their carts delivered so they’ll be ready when they start recycling in August using the carts.” Replacing the existing 18-gallon bins, the new 95-gallon carts will start collecting recyclable items, such as paper bags, plastic bottles, and aluminium and metal cans, from early August. No glass product is allowed. As per the report, more than 53,000 households...
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...
China issued the 10th batch of quotas for restricted metal scrap imports for 2019. The batch allows 306,930 tonnes of aluminium scrap imports for companies mostly from Guangdong, Jiangsu and Liaoning, according to the list released by the Solid Waste and Chemical Management Centre under the Ministry of Environmental Protection on July 10. This and the 9th batch of import quotas allow a total of 361,186 tonnes of aluminium scrap to enter China, compared to imports of 349,510 tonnes registered in the third quarter of 2018, Shanghai Metals Market reported. On June 20, China had issued the 9th batch of quotas for metal scrap imports, allowing 54,256 tonnes of aluminium scrap to enter China. That covered 16 companies in Zhejiang province.
