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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A recent webcast titled "From AI to Dynamic LIBS: How New Sorting Technologies Drive Growth in Aluminum Recycling," hosted by TOMRA Recycling in collaboration with Novelis, spotlighted cutting-edge advancements in aluminium recycling. The session underscored how increasing aluminium scrap utilisation can play a key role in reducing CO₂ emissions. Experts from TOMRA Recycling and Novelis explored the key challenges in aluminium recycling and how cutting-edge technologies such as X-ray Transmission (XRT), Dynamic LIBS, and deep learning are revolutionising sorting processes, improving scrap purity, and unlocking new market opportunities. Frank van de Winkel, Business Development Manager –Metal at TOMRA Recycling, commented, "We were delighted to welcome attendees from across the globe to...
Many associations in the European Union (EU) have urged the imposition of export duties on aluminium scrap, especially after a heightened demand from the US, following its exclusion from Trump’s 50 per cent tariff, it is led to a decline. Based on it, the EU’s carbon emission goals might be affected, especially with CBAM to be implemented within the next 6 months, creating tension in the secondary aluminium production. With Trump's 50 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel, European metal producers indicate a shortage in their scrap inventory, but surge in demand has inflated the prices. Owing to this, European Aluminium reached out to the European Union to impose export authorisation measures, which were there till the Covid pandemic. In the EU's push for reducing carbon...
It has been reported that over 80,000 used PET bottles and aluminium cans have been gathered through the initiative of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and the Samoa and Tokelau Association of Recyclers (S.T.A.R.)’s initiative, launched this month. It is a pilot project in Central Apia for about three months, where it encourages the consumers to return all the used beverage cans and bottles, for which they would be getting a return of 5 sene. It is assumed by the S.T.A.R. and CCEP that it would help to recycle the scrap from the Tafaigata Landfill. While S.T.A.R. is assigned the task of collecting the used cans, the CCEP mainly focuses on exporting the collected cans for recycling purposes. Image source: Pooraka Bottle & Can The main motivation behind this initiative is to spread...
In the wake of the Trump administration's tariff hike to 50 per cent on aluminium excluding the scrap, alongside the UK coming into a discussion for relief, a rising concern has levitated in Europe. A silent "scrap battle" arises from Europe, which is deemed to have lost a vast amount of aluminium scrap and is said to be going into the US domains. The demand surge for European aluminium scrap after the doubling of the US tariff on primary aluminium is creating a threat to the in-house recycling facilities. This has been a concern since European aluminium scrap is referred to as "strategic raw material" enriched with energy and value. Hence, an excessive outflow of scrap can affect the continent's sustainability goals. Other threats include climate goals, energy security, and the...
In a bold step to boost the recycling of post-consumer aerosols (PCR), a three-month pilot project was kicked off on 2 June across Solihull in the West Midlands, England. Designed to uncover how aerosols are handled in household waste, the initiative will analyse kerbside collection data to paint a clearer picture of recycling habits. Spearheaded by Alupro through the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative (UKARI) and delivered in partnership with SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, the project involves a deep dive into fully comingled waste streams. The analysis will be carried out by Sherbourne Recycling, home to one of the most advanced materials recovery facilities in the world. The key focus will be tracking how many aerosol containers are captured, sorted, and recycled, laying the groundwork...
A celebratory mood hovers around Speira because it has upgraded its plants in Grebenbroich and Toging by placing the first of the four new recycling furnaces. The new furnace replaced the ageing units with state-of-the-art systems, with a total capacity of 25 tonnes. The objective? Recycling of "low grades" means heavily contaminated scrap and dross produced during the melting process. Image source: IndiaMART With the vision of upgrading the recycling plant with four new furnaces, Speira has invested EUR 11 million (USD 12.68 million), ensuring greater efficiency, H2-readiness and improved occupational safety. With it, Speira has successfully placed the first of the four furnaces in Grebenbroich and Toging, naming it Bernhard. The CEO of the German-Norwegian aluminium company, Einar...
In the grand theatre of sustainable packaging, aluminium beverage cans have long occupied centre stage. They are hailed as icons of recyclability — endlessly reusable, energy-efficient, and economically viable. But how much of the aluminium in your next soft drink can is from recycled material? And by whose definition? Image for referential purposes only A new technical protocol released in 2024 aims to settle that debate. Titled “Guidance for Calculating Recycled Content in Aluminium Can Sheet (Version 1.0),” this industry-led initiative offers the first formalised methodology to quantify recycled content in aluminium can sheets. Developed by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and environmental NGO GreenBlue, with inputs from major players including Novelis, Ball, Constellium, and the...
As the global economy pivots toward decarbonisation and circularity, recycled aluminium is stepping out of the shadows to become a material of strategic significance. The automotive industry is projected to register the highest usage of recycled aluminium during the forecast period, with manufacturers' marketing driven by the need for lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Other sectors, such as packaging and construction, are integrating recycled aluminium into their net-zero targets as a key focus market; it is no longer just an environmentally sound option but an economic imperative. The world secondary aluminium market is projected to grow from USD 107.05 billion in 2023 to USD 160.81 billion by 2032 , underscoring its critical role in shaping the...
Tomahawk Elementary School (TES) took an initiative that aimed to aid the Ronald McDonald House Charities by providing aluminium pop tops. The students of TES, in the past six years, have collected 1,062 pounds of aluminium pop tops, helping to raise USD 394. Ronald McDonald House Charities recycles the donated aluminium for funding and resourcing lodges for families facing severe medical conditions and staying away from their homes. The funds raised by TES students will be given to the families whose children are in hospital. The School District of Tomahawk stated, "Tomahawk Elementary's contribution stands as a shining example of how small actions can lead to a big impact." This initiative has benefited the charity house and taught the students how small things make a huge difference...
The UK achieved an impressive recycling rate of 157,049 tonnes of aluminium packaging in 2024, as reported in the annual data published by the National Packaging Waste Database by the Environment Agency. The recycling rate of the UK in 2024 surpassed the kept up pace, indicating a higher capture rate amidst the rapidly growing domestic market. With the support of the kerbside, on-the-go systems and bring have aided in recycling 114,462 tonnes of aluminium packaging. On the other hand, 41,635 tonnes of aluminium packaging is recycled via incinerator bottom ash (IBA). The remaining 952 tonnes were recycled from different sources. The UK has yet again surpassed the obligation target of 151,281 tonnes, with a carry-in worth 2,811 tonnes and a surplus of packaging recovery notes (PRNs) for...
Note: This image is AI-generated and for representation purpose only The Trump Administration’s latest aluminium tariff hike to 50 per cent has triggered renewed concern among traders and manufacturers over a further shift in trade dynamics to a point where export markets may face a deepening blow. European aluminium producers are neither immune to this strain as worries linger over an increasingly fragile trade environment and fear grows for the further destablisation of trade relations between the two key economic partners. But more than tariff hike, what currently causes sleepless nights to the European aluminium industry is tariff exemption on scrap. Earlier, during the implementation of 25 per cent tariff effective from March 2025, the United States duty exemption on scrap already...
Qcells, a South Korean solar manufacturer with production facilities in the US and Malaysia, has officially launched EcoRecycle by Qcells, its first dedicated solar panel recycling operation. The initial facility is set to be established in Cartersville, Georgia, where Qcells is also ramping up solar module manufacturing with a planned production capacity of 3.3 GW. Image credit: redington.solar Once fully operational, the EcoRecycle plant will be capable of recycling approximately 250 MW of solar panels annually, translating to around 500,000 panels per year. With this initiative, Qcells becomes the first crystalline silicon (C-Si) solar panel producer to integrate both manufacturing and recycling operations in the US. “With this new business, Qcells will emerge as the first-ever...
India-based mircocap company, Baheti Recycling Industry Limited, specialised in recycling aluminium scrap into various aluminium alloys, reportedly concluded the day on June 9, 2025, at a 1.43 per cent higher than its previous closing price. The company’s share price clocked at INR 602 (USD 7.03) after ranging between INR 604.50 (USD 7.05) and INR 591.00 (USD 6.89) throughout the day. Image source: Baheti Recycling Industries Limited Baheti’s share price has been performing very strongly, returning 52.96 per cent this year and 5.01 per cent in the past five days. The recycling firm has TTM P/E ratio 33.47 as compared to the sector P/E of 20.16. Ever since, Baheti has declared its robust financial performance, with a net profit significantly up by 159 per cent at the end of H2 FY2025, the...
A Chicago-based startup Sun Metalon is taking on one of the world’s biggest climate challenges with a bold solution of turning industrial waste into a valuable resource. The company says its breakthrough technology can removes gunk and grime from discarded metal slivers, enabling their reuse and helping cut emissions in aluminium and steel production that together account for roughly 7 per cent of global carbon emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. Decarbonising these heavyweights is no small task. It will require a sweeping transformation of industrial systems rooted in more than a century of tradition, along with costly upgrades to massive steel and aluminium mills. But by tapping into overlooked waste streams, this startup hopes to chip away at emissions one dirty...
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method to produce sustainable green hydrogen using recycled aluminium and seawater, a breakthrough that promises dramatically lower emissions and cost compared to traditional methods. Conventional hydrogen production relies heavily on steam methane reforming, which emits 9-12 kg of CO₂ per kg of hydrogen, far from climate-friendly. Even “green” hydrogen via solar or wind-powered electrolysis remains resource-intensive and expensive. MIT’s innovative method harnesses the aluminium-water reaction (AWR), when aluminium reacts with water, it generates hydrogen, heat and aluminium oxyhydroxide. Aluminium’s abundance and high energy density (twice that of diesel by volume) make it an appealing feedstock. “We were explaining the science of this process...
Aluminium scrap is a common byproduct on military bases and aircraft carriers worldwide. Now, the US Army is partnering with Georgia Tech to convert that waste into a powerful, off-grid energy source. Backed by a $20 million grant from the Army Research Office, Georgia Tech and its collaborators are developing scalable, efficient technologies to transform aluminium into hydrogen energy. The initiative aims to create a low-cost, clean, and reliable energy solution using discarded aluminium materials. Aaron Stebner, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing at Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and also a professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, will lead the multi-year project alongside Scott McWhorter, who heads...
As the world observes 'World Environment Day' , AL Circle shines a spotlight on the aluminium industry's vital role in building a more sustainable planet. Known for its infinite recyclability and lightweight efficiency, aluminium holds immense promise — but the challenges of waste and residue management remain pressing. To address this, AL Circle's three insightful reports that explore critical areas of environmental impact and opportunity: World Recycled Aluminium Market Analysis & Industry Forecast to 2032 Aluminium Dross Processing: A Global Review A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue – Red Mud Together, these reports provide a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of aluminium industry waste streams — from the utilisation of red mud (bauxite residue) to the recovery of...
Danish roof-window innovator VELUX has turned last year's letter of intent into a multi-year supply deal that secures flat-rolled aluminium with over 70 per cent recycled scrap for its windows and flashing kits. Novelis states the tailored alloy already passed VELUX's stringent salt-spray and freeze-thaw tests and will reduce the material's specific footprint to under 4 kg CO2 per kg this year, less than half the European primary average. Image source: Novelis The deal comes on the heels of Novelis' recent introduction of the first coil produced from 100 per cent end-of-life automobile scrap and its $4.5 billion investment pipeline for recycling capacity. This is an indication that high-recycled alloys are transitioning from specialities to standard. As per the latest data on industry...
