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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Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), an agency under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, US, had initiated "Love the Boot Week" from April 5 to 13, 2025, for the annual litter removal and beautification. For this initiative to succeed, Coca-Cola partnered with KLB to recycle aluminium cans and plastic bottles, facilitated by the Osprey Initiative. Owing to this initiative, a total of 16,503 aluminium cans and plastic bottles have been recovered from the landfill, indicating an increase of 23 per cent from the previous year. Image source: keeplouisianabeautiful.org A little about Love the Boot Week This is regarded as one of the largest litter removal and beautification efforts, where the event is held in more than 64 parishes every year in April. The major aim of this event is to engage...
Befesa SA, based out of Luxembourg, a leading firm providing waste recycling services for the aluminium and steel industry, has shared its earnings for the first quarter of 2025. The company reported an upward graph wherein the earnings touched EUR 308.4 million (USD 350 million) compared to EUR 298.3 million (USD 338.5 million) a year ago. Image source: befesa.com The Y-o-Y operating cash flow of the company increased by 134 per cent, while the firm's net income and EPS (Earnings per share) witnessed an upward trend, growing by 97 per cent. Additionally, Befesa's EBITDA concerning the aluminium salt slag stood at EUR 9 million, indicating an increase of 32 per cent Y-o-Y. The company's adjusted EBITDA also increased by 15 per cent, reaching EUR 55.8 million (USD 63.3 million) in Q1 2025...
The Indian government has unveiled a national portal for recycling non-ferrous metals, including aluminium, copper, lead, and zinc. The launch, held in New Delhi, was officiated by Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy. This initiative aims to enhance sustainability and reduce reliance on imported raw materials. Image source: coal.gov.in Aluminium recycling is pivotal due to its energy efficiency and environmental benefits. Recycling aluminium consumes up to 95 per cent less energy than producing primary aluminium, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, India's aluminium recycling rate stands at 30-35 per cent, lagging behind the global average of 65-75 per cent. Historically, India has maintained low import duties on aluminium scrap, currently at 2.5 per cent,...
Comstock Metals, a subsidiary of Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE), has unlocked a major milestone by becoming the first solar panel recycling company in North America to earn the R2v3/RIOS Responsible Recycling Standard certification. This recognition, specifically for Appendix G, affirms Comstock's innovative zero-waste recycling process, which expertly converts every component of solar panels into valuable, new commercial applications. With this milestone, Comstock is setting the standard for sustainable recycling in the solar energy sector, driving a cleaner, greener future for renewable energy. The timing of the certification is especially strategic, aligning with the growing adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks for solar panels in multiple jurisdictions. Currently,...
The Tasmanian government has hailed a strong start to the state’s new container deposit scheme, with one million containers returned in just the first four days. Out of these, 594,253 were collected in the South, 405,765 in the North, and 206,211 across the North West and West Coast. In terms of material, 62 per cent of the returned containers were aluminium, 25 per cent plastic, 12 per cent glass, and 1 per cent liquid paper board. Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie announced on Tuesday that the milestone was achieved at a refund point in Bridgewater’s Cove Hill Precinct. Recycle Rewards provides a ten-cent refund for each eligible container, managed by scheme coordinator TasRecycle in collaboration with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. By the end of Sunday, over 1.2 million...
In the first quarter of 2025, Gränges AB demonstrated resilience and foresight despite coming across multiple obstacles, achieving record-breaking results despite facing a complex global market landscape. Gränges reported a significant 24 per cent increase in sales volume, reaching 151.6 thousand tonnes, up from 122 thousand tonnes in the same period the previous year. This surge was accompanied by a 15 per cent rise in adjusted operating profit, totalling SEK 409 million, marking the company’s strongest first-quarter performance to date. The profit for the period climbed to SEK 261 million, with diluted earnings per share increasing to SEK 2.34. Image for representational purposes only (source: https://www.granges.com/) Gränges’ CEO, Jörgen Rosengren, attributed the company’s strong...
Six companies have expressed interest in serving as the system operator for the government’s proposed Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), aimed at regulating the use of non-biodegradable materials such as glass bottles, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. To address queries related to the appointment process, the state government—keen to become the first in the country to roll out the DRS—recently conducted a pre-bid meeting with the interested firms. A DRS product refers to non-biodegradable materials listed in the Schedule of the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, including multi-layered plastics used for packaging goods sold in the state. To support the scheme, over 300 automated collection machines will be installed across Goa, strategically placed based on consumer and tourist...
Novelis, a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and the world's largest aluminium recycler, has announced the opening of the Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre. With this facility, Novelis anticipates reducing carbon emissions by 420,000 tonnes annually. This reduction is equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of around 19 million trees, assuming an average of 22 kilograms per tree. The new facility, a joint venture between Novelis and Kobe Steel, represents a $65 million investment and boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium sheet ingot. "The Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre is a strategic investment aimed at meeting growing customer demand for sustainable, low-carbon aluminium across beverage packaging, automotive, and speciality product...
Global aluminium businesses have been ramping up efforts in the recycling vertical with mounting demand and resource constraints. However, during the ongoing calendar year, the green initiatives have come under pressure with geopolitics playing a major role in the ruptured system. Image source: IAI Of course, global developments are throwing a wrench into the industry’s momentum. Or else, why would companies like Coca-Cola decide to move away from its aluminium can packaging to pet bottle packaging? In February 2025, the US slapped a 25 per cent tariff on all aluminium imports, citing global overcapacity. Though the tariffs were briefly paused, they came roaring back and bigger. As of March 12, 2025, a blanket 25 per cent tariff now hits all aluminium imports, including derivative...
On Wednesday, April 24, WM, the operator of curbside recycling for D.C. and Baltimore, unveiled a state-of-the-art $50 million recycling facility in Elkridge, Maryland. Having started operations in late 2024, the facility is set to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of recycling services across the District and nearby communities, according to company executives. WM officials report that the facility's enhanced sorting technology is already yielding positive results, with recyclable bale quality improving by over 10 per cent, according to Hemmer. Around 60 per cent of the recovered cardboard and paper is exported to international markets, while all non-fibre materials—such as aluminium cans and plastic bottles—are processed and reused within the U.S. "This facility...
HPQ Silicon Inc., a technology company pioneering next-generation processes for advanced material manufacturing, is proud to announce that its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (“Novacium”), has been invited to present at ENSURE 2025 — the 3rd International Conference on Environmental Sustainability through Waste and Recycling. The event is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25 in Houston, Texas. Novacium will present its latest research in a talk titled “Closing the Aluminum Loop: An Innovative Process for Black Dross Valorisation,” showcasing key insights from its Waste-to-Energy (W2E) project. Organised by the United Scientific Group (USG), ENSURE 2025 is a prominent international conference that brings together a diverse community of scientists, industry leaders, academics,...
BigMint's latest assessments indicate that Tense scrap from the US stood at $1,925/t, while Wheels from the UK remained stable at $2,425/t, both on a CFR west coast India basis. On the London Metal Exchange (LME), aluminium prices remained largely range-bound, with the benchmark price averaging $2,375/t, slightly down from $2,388/t last week. Meanwhile, LME-registered warehouse inventories climbed by 5.2 per cent to 462,450 t, up from 439,325 t in the previous week. Domestic scrap prices up w-o-w In the domestic market, Tense scrap prices in both Delhi and Chennai inched up by INR 3,000/t compared to last week. According to BigMint's assessment, domestic Tense scrap stood at INR 187,000/t ex-Delhi-NCR and INR 188,000/t ex-Chennai. In India, the aluminium market is experiencing an...
The City of Greenville, Mississippi, launched an aluminium can recycling initiative on April 22, 2025. The programme, in partnership with Every Can Counts, US, Washington and Replenysh, Los Angeles, aims to promote sustainability and increase the recovery of aluminium beverage cans. Image source: MRCTI Recycling aluminium reduces landfill waste, saves energy and minimises carbon emissions. It also conserves natural resources by lowering the need for virgin material extraction. This process supports the circular economy and helps fight climate change. The partnership of Every Can Counts, a non-profit, with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) focused on can recycling awareness. Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons stated, “Thanks to the collaboration of MRCTI, Replenysh...
Industry leaders, environmental specialists, and policymakers convened in Muscat on Tuesday for the second Aluminium Recycling Forum, organised by Sohar Aluminium in partnership with the Environment Authority. The forum hosted two high-level panel discussions that explored the key challenges and emerging opportunities in aluminium scrap recycling. The first session focused on the operational and regulatory barriers encountered by recyclers, collectors, and industry stakeholders while also showcasing how regional industries are embedding recycling into their wider sustainability frameworks. The discussion also delved into how evolving regulations in Oman could more effectively support recycling logistics and ensure regulatory compliance. Additionally, they assessed how trade policies and...
Rising criminal activities have created tension among Ghana’s scrap dealers, leading to lower returns across the scrap metal industry. This gave a nudge to the scrap dealers to take up the issue to the government with the demand to implement stringent regulation to mitigate the current issue. The scrap dealers blame the current situation of the Ghana scrap metal industry on a lack of oversight leading to loopholes by the government which enabled the criminals to invade the scrap trade process. Due to these criminal activities infiltrating the scrap metal industry, many businesses have witnessed a tarnished reputation and functionality within the operating market. Moreover, Ghana's scrap dealers have also claimed that the nation's scrap business has been struggling for a long time to...
As the global aluminium industry continues its pursuit of sustainability and resource circularity, AL Circle is proud to announce the launch of the updated version of its industry-focused research report, “Aluminium Dross Processing: A Global Review,” on this year’s Earth Day — a symbolic moment that underscores our shared responsibility to protect the planet. For decades, aluminium dross — a by-product of molten aluminium oxidation — was treated as industrial waste, often sent to landfills, leaching toxins and losing valuable metal content. But today, the landscape is changing profoundly. Industry leaders, researchers, and technology developers are revolutionising how we think about and process dross. The updated version of the AL Circle report is a testament to this transition — from...
Lakeside Auto Recyclers in Carter Lake, Nebraska, is poised to reclaim processing work as 25 per cent tariffs raise the cost of imported metal. Local recyclers say the aluminium levy could redirect business back to their yard, where yard manager Nick Hanson oversees a 60-strong team processing 8,000 tonnes of recycled steel each month. Image for representational purposes only “It’s a little scary just based off what happened in 2016 and 2018 with the aluminium, it crashed drastically,” Hanson said, adding “Since then, there’s a lot more domestic options for your shredded cast aluminium. So I think it could be a positive, I really do.” Hanson is optimistic that the tariff impositions can potentially pull in buyers to recycled materials produced within the US. “This is part of a car engine,...
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are a very important step for boosting recycling rates, reducing litter and moving towards a circular economy. Government around the world is taking up actions to promote DRS. In a recent stint, the Goa State Government has announced plans to appoint a dedicated ‘system operator’ to oversee the implementation of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS)for non-biodegradable materials like aluminium cans and glass. “A mechanism to compensate urban local bodies (ULBs), panchayats, and private entities for the usage of space and/or assisting waste collection can be mutually agreed upon between the system operator and ULBs/panchayats/waste collectors,” a senior officer said. Under this scheme, consumers purchasing products with non-biodegradable packaging will be required to...
