Europe’s aluminium scrap exports to the US have risen by 243 per cent, highlighting a growing concern over the continent’s access to strategic raw materials as it pursues recycling, decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness. Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of METLEN, raised the issue, linking scrap outflows to the broader challenges facing European industry, energy security and strategic autonomy. Aluminium scrap outflows raise industrial concerns Mytilineos referred to the contrasting US tariff treatment of aluminium products, i.e., a 50 per cent tariff on primary aluminium, compared with zero tariff on scrap . With European aluminium scrap exports to the US increasing by 243 per cent, he questioned whether Europe could strengthen its industrial base while allowing valuable...
The US aluminium used beverage can (UBC) scrap price benchmark tracked by Argus recorded a mixed performance over the third quarter of 2026, declining in July before rising in August and September. The monthly average increased from USD 2,322.89 per tonne in July to USD 2,491.22 per tonne in August and USD 2,602.51 per tonne in September, indicating a sustained recovery in the benchmark over the three months. July: Prices decline despite a high opening The benchmark began July at USD 2,464.98 per tonne on July 1, before falling sharply to USD 2,270.76 per tonne on July 3. The price remained at that level on July 2 and July 6, the lowest recorded price for the month. It subsequently recovered gradually, reaching USD 2,319.86 per tonne on July 10 and USD 2,328.63 per tonne on July 22....
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The flagship recycling facility, that has started operations in Magdeburg, targeting the recovery of valuable metals, including aluminium, from waste incineration, is prepared for harsh conditions. Run by Mitteldeutsche Schlackenunion (MDSU), it is now the biggest and most advanced bottom ash treatment plant in Germany. Image source: https://www.winkelmanengineering.nl/ Commissioned in late 2024, this site is built to process up to 90,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash annually. However, the current throughput is around 60,000 tonnes, which is likely to increase at the operational scale. The launch of this bottom ash recycling facility is a business imperative. The bottom ash, which was considered a waste byproduct before, still comes with a huge volume of non-ferrous metals such as...
The global aluminium industry stands at a critical juncture where efficiency, sustainability, and resource recovery are shaping new business priorities. As per recent business market research, the aluminium sector — formed of primary aluminium smelters, secondary aluminium facilities, and downstream processing plants — generated an estimated 4.78 million tonnes of dross in 2024. Source: AL Circle This figure reflects the inescapable byproduct of aluminium melting, but it also highlights opportunities for resource recovery and value creation. Aluminium dross generation: Regional market analysis China, the world's largest producer of aluminium, continues to dominate global dross output as per rule, accounting for nearly 47 per cent of total generation in 2024. The Rest of Asia-Pacific...
In Magdeburg setzt die Mitteldeutsche Schlackenunion (MDSU) neue Maßstäbe für Lösungen in der Kreislaufwirtschaft. Mit ihrer hochmodernen Anlage zur Metallrückgewinnung aus Rostasche zeigt das Unternehmen die zentrale Bedeutung zuverlässiger und leistungsstarker Sortiertechnologien – und stärkt zugleich die Rolle von STEINERT als bevorzugtem Partner für industrielle Metallrückgewinnung. MDSU verändert die Sichtweise der Branche auf Verbrennungsrückstände. In Müllverbrennungsanlagen (MVA) bleiben nach der Verarbeitung 20 bis 30 Prozent der Materialien als Rostasche zurück – ein wertvoller Nebenstrom, der Aluminium, Kupfer, Messing und Edelstahl enthält. Dieses Potenzial erkennend, hat MDSU eine hochmoderne Rückgewinnungsanlage mit fortschrittlicher Röntgentechnologie in Betrieb genommen...
O sistema de reciclagem bem estruturado do Brasil mais uma vez impulsionou a taxa de reciclagem de latas de alumínio do país para impressionantes 97,3%. Há mais de 15 anos, o Brasil mantém consistentemente uma taxa superior a 95%, resultado não apenas de uma forte infraestrutura de reciclagem, mas também de um profundo senso de compromisso com a sustentabilidade, que incentiva o consumo de latas de alumínio. Em 2024, as vendas de latas no Brasil cresceram 7,6%, totalizando 34,8 bilhões de unidades, contra 32,3 bilhões no ano anterior. Por trás desse cenário, o progresso econômico constante também é um fator que impulsiona o consumo de latas de alumínio. Segundo o Banco Mundial, o Brasil, com uma população de 205,3 milhões, registrou um PIB per capita real de US$ 10.616 em 2024, contra US$...
Every aluminium can has a second life waiting to be written. When recycled, it can be back on store shelves in as little as 60 days, saving energy, cutting waste, and keeping valuable materials out of landfills. Now, Fayette County is giving residents a simple way to be part of that cycle of renewal. Fayette County has rolled out a brand-new aluminium can recycling trailer, now parked at the corner of McDonough Road and Highway 54 in Fayetteville, right across from the fleet maintenance department entrance. Thanks to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, which provided the trailer at no cost, recycling aluminium cans is now as simple as a quick drop-off. Every can collected helps protect the environment while fuelling a cause that truly changes lives. The initiative is part of the...
A public consultation on Wales’ proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been launched by Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister of Wales. This proposal is mainly based on the concept of reuse over recycling to reduce waste and promote net zero. This scheme comprises a 12-week consultation on the DRS (Deposit Return Scheme), which began its historic journey on 18th August at Corona Pop Factory in Porth. This would continue till 10 November, which would be helping to implement the scheme. Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said, “Wales has always led by example on environmental action, and the deposit return scheme represents our next bold step forward. By putting reuse at the centre of our approach, we’re not just tackling waste – we’re creating a model that other nations can...
Brazil’s well-established recycling system has once again propelled the country’s aluminium can recycling rate to an impressive 97.3 per cent. For more than 15 years, Brazil has consistently maintained a recycling rate above 95 per cent. This achievement is not only the result of a strong recycling infrastructure but also of a deep sense of commitment towards sustainability that encourages people consume aluminium cans. In 2024, aluminium can sales in Brazil rose 7.6 per cent, amounting to 34.8 billion units versus 32.3 billion units. Behind this all, steady economic progress is also a factor that drives aluminium can consumption. According to the World Bank, Brazil, with a population of 205.3 million, recorded a real GDP per capita of USD 10,616 in 2024, up from USD 10,377.59 in 2023. In...
In Magdeburg, Mitteldeutsche Schlackenunion (MDSU) is establishing a benchmark in circular economy solutions. Through its advanced plant for metal recovery from bottom ash, the company highlights the critical role of reliable, high-performance sorting technology, reinforcing STEINERT’s position as the preferred partner for industrial metal recovery. MDSU is transforming how the industry views incineration residues. At municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plants, 20 to 30 per cent of processed material remains as bottom ash, a resource-rich byproduct containing aluminium, copper, brass and stainless steel. Recognising this potential, MDSU has launched a cutting-edge recovery facility featuring advanced X-ray technology, setting a new standard for sustainable resource management and...
The Tyne and Wear Metro trains, long-standing icons of the network, are being retired and recycled, just as the system celebrates its 45th anniversary. Nexus, the operator, is bidding farewell to these trusty "workhorses" as a brand-new fleet is ushered in. Nexus is the Passenger Transport Executive for Tyne and Wear, responsible for planning, delivering, and promoting public transport across North East England. At a specialist site near Bishop Auckland, the ageing carriages are dismantled, stripped open to recover valuable metals. Aluminium, in particular, takes centre stage here; it’s lightweight, endlessly recyclable, and key to creating more sustainable transport systems. Alongside copper and steel, the salvaged aluminium will be exported through regional hubs to destinations...
Australia’s clean energy surge is powering homes and reshaping skylines with solar projects and modern construction — but behind the progress lies a growing waste challenge, as aluminium scrap and discarded solar panels continue to pile up. Each year, an estimated 4 million solar panels are removed from rooftops across the country, yet less than 5 per cent are recycled according to The Smart Energy Council (SEC). Without urgent intervention, experts warn solar waste could nearly double in the next five years — from 59,340 tonnes in 2025 to 91,165 tonnes by 2030. Solar panels are taken down due to malfunctions, performance drops, or early upgrades, while fragile roofs and safety regulations further contribute, often resulting in panels being removed well before their expected lifespan. One...
The global transition toward low-carbon or "green" aluminium is no longer a distant ambition—it's reshaping the very foundation of the secondary aluminium market. Driven by sustainability commitments, rising consumer expectations, and stricter regulations, the pressure on scrap availability is intensifying. This imbalance between capacity expansion and supply growth has set the stage for fierce competition that spans continents. Source: Recycling Today Scrap at the heart of the green transition From 2019 to 2024, secondary aluminium capacity witnessed steady growth. But the real surge is just ahead: between 2024 and 2026, planned capacity expansions will significantly outpace scrap availability. This widening gap raises a critical question: Will the industry secure enough feedstock to...
In the aluminium sector, initiatives often prioritise the integration of recycled content as a key sustainability driver. In line with this focus, Novelis, a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, specialising in sustainable aluminium solutions, has entered into a joint development agreement with DRT Holdings, LLC, a specialised manufacturer serving the metal packaging, aerospace and general industrial sectors. The collaboration aims to enhance the manufacturing process for sustainable beverage can ends, reinforcing the industry's commitment to advancing environmentally responsible packaging solutions. Image source: Novelis The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of high-recycled-content alloys in aluminium beverage can ends, driving broader implementation across the...
Do you know that recycling a single tonne of aluminium can prevent up to 9 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to the production from raw materials? As the race toward net-zero accelerates, recycled aluminium has moved from the sidelines to become a cornerstone of a resource-efficient, low-carbon future. In fact, a lot of primary aluminium producers and smelters are now investing more in the secondary aluminium business. Why are primary smelters investing more in secondary aluminium? The secondary aluminium market, long led by specialised players such as Novelis, Real Alloy, and regional recyclers, is undergoing a profound transformation. Major primary producers, including EGA, Ma'aden, Hydro, Rio Tinto, and others, are stepping into the arena, strengthening their foothold through greenfield...
What could be a viable solution for the United States to meet its current aluminium demand when the country is suffering from a domestic primary aluminium production shortage and high import costs due to a 50 per cent tariff on the metal? Recycling it is ! Rightfully, Trond Olaf Christophersen, chief financial officer of Hydro, has pointed out, “If the US administration wants to improve self-reliance on aluminium, the quickest way to do it will be to keep more of the scrap in the US and support recycling capacity.” Recycling – the answer to demand-production mismatch By the end of 2025, the United States primary aluminium demand is projected to reach 4.9 million tonnes. Yet until April 2025, the country’s production stood at only 222,000 tonnes, down by 2.2 per cent from 227,000 tonnes...
The global aluminium recycling industry is entering a new phase of accelerated growth, with a projected market value rising from USD107 billion in 2023 to USD160 billion by 2032, according to the latest business market analysis. However, industry insiders warn that high-grade scrap shortages threaten to slow expansion, even as policy, technology, and market forces align in favour of recycled metal. Source: Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis 2032 Recycling: The low-carbon competitive edge Aluminium's unique property of infinite recyclability is giving it a decisive edge in the transition to low-carbon manufacturing. Recycling requires just 5 per cent of the energy used for primary aluminium production and reduces significant CO₂ emissions. Manufacturers' marketing strategies now highlight...
The US aluminium market is navigating a period of shifting dynamics, as scrap recovery rates, rising import volumes, and longer-term supply considerations converge to influence its trajectory. In the first four months of 2025, the US recovered 1.222 million tonnes of aluminium from scrap up 2.7 per cent from 1.19 million tonnes during the same period in 2024. April 2025 marked a downturn in US aluminium scrap recovery, falling 7.4 per cent to 277,000 tonnes from 299,000 tonnes a year earlier. This drop followed two strong months, March saw an 8.3 per cent increase to 327,000 tonnes, while February jumped 9.6 per cent to 321,000 tonnes. January had started the year on a steady note at 297,000 tonnes, just 0.3 per cent higher than in January 2024. Imports of aluminium also saw a notable...
Aluminium dross, a by-product formed during the melting and processing of aluminium, emerges when molten aluminium oxidises on the surface, creating a thin ‘skin-like’ layer. Historically, dross was often sent to landfills — a practice not only harmful to the environment but also wasteful, as it meant losing valuable aluminium content and other recoverable materials. Source: AL CircleBiz In recent years, however, the industry’s focus on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and resource efficiency has driven major advancements in dross processing technologies. Modern systems can now recover over 95 per cent of the aluminium content, significantly outperforming conventional recovery methods. Despite this progress, a substantial portion of dross — particularly from the secondary...
Country-wide, over 300 children are hospitalised annually due to burn-related injuries, according to data from the American Burn Association. By recycling aluminium cans through a statewide fundraiser, the Every Can Counts program raises funds annually to support burn-injured children with financial aid, care kits and custom compression garments. In South Carolina, the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund is working to ensure young burn victims receive comprehensive resources, addressing both recovery and prevention needs. The initiative further operates in partnership with the paediatric burn team at the Medical University of South Carolina, combining expertise and community support to improve outcomes. In addition to financial assistance, impacted families receive care kits and...
