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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Fresh tensions surrounding aluminium scrap procurement befalls a nation that sources 80-85 per cent from overseas to meet its domestic aluminium scrap demand. India could face restrictions on importing aluminium scrap and other metal waste from the European Union (EU) under a new Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) framework scheduled to take effect in May 2027. The European Commission has proposed an exemptions list for non-OECD countries and opened a public consultation that will run until October 16. India is currently among the countries that would not qualify for an exemption, thereby potentially limiting its access to EU aluminium scrap. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. The proposal has emerged after India...
The story of the aluminium industry is starting a chapter wherein scrap availability, recycling technology, trade policy, carbon costs and demand growth are becoming increasingly interconnected. From the US and Canada to Europe, India, New Zealand and China, recent developments show that the global aluminium supply chain is being reshaped on several fronts at once. These developments point to a changing aluminium business model: access to metal alone may no longer be enough. Quality of recycled feedstock, domestic processing capacity, carbon intensity, trade exposure and the ability to meet increasingly specific customer requirements could become equally important competitive factors. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge...
French vehicle recycler Groupe GPA is broadening the scope of its automotive recycling strategy. Moving beyond parts reuse, it aims to recover aluminium, rare earth elements or critical minerals, copper, plastics, glass and batteries from end-of-life vehicles and return them to vehicle manufacturing supply chains. The company has created a dedicated five-person R&D team to formulate processes for turning materials recovered during vehicle dismantling into secondary raw materials for the automotive industry. Led by mechanical engineer Marc Jolivet, the team is working around three priorities: extracting greater value from materials amid rising pressure on raw material supplies; helping automakers establish closed-loop recycling systems; and developing safe treatment methods, particularly...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has expressed concern over the European Union’s decision to drop a proposed 15 per cent export duty on aluminium scrap, saying the move could affect its plans to expand recycling capacity in Germany. The EU withdrew the proposed duty earlier this month. The measure was intended to keep more aluminium scrap within the bloc, but concerns over its possible impact on the final signing of a free trade agreement with India contributed to the decision. Pal Kildemo, EGA’s finance chief, said the company had already invested heavily in Europe to support higher aluminium recycling rates. He said "We put a lot of capital... on the ground to take part in the larger recycling rates in Europe. And when this becomes a part of bigger trade politics, it's unfortunate for...
The EU aluminium scrap export plan has emerged as a sensitive issue in EU-India trade negotiations. It highlights that Brussels has met with a challenge, attempting to secure recyclable raw materials for European aluminium producers while advancing a long-awaited free-trade agreement (FTA) with New Delhi. India was among 91 countries that would have been exempted from a proposed EU levy on aluminium scrap exports. European and industry sources said that the proposal faltered before the European Commission put the levy on hold as pressure from New Delhi appeared at a crucial juncture of the EU-India negotiations. The Commission has confirmed that the measure is no longer moving ahead in its original form. However, the decision has not been publicly linked to India or the ongoing trade...
For aluminium recyclers, managing profitability is no longer only about securing scrap, improving recovery rates or controlling operating costs. The timing of purchases, inventory holding, price fixation and customer sales can also influence the final margin that must be achieved. When aluminium prices move during these stages, even a commercially sound transaction can become less profitable. With the evolving market, evolving one's skills is also vital, which includes understanding the concept and effective application of hedging strategies . Why price exposure matters across the recycling cycle An aluminium recycler may purchase scrap at one price, process and hold the material for a period and sell the recovered metal at a later date. Between these transactions, aluminium prices can...
The European Commission has delayed its planned measures on aluminium scrap exports, replacing the earlier proposal for export duties with restrictions on waste shipments to non-OECD countries. European Aluminium said the change has added to discomfort across the aluminium industry, which has been waiting for measures to address the rising flow of scrap out of Europe. The association is now calling for a trade measure with wider territorial coverage and product scope. The Commission had initially planned to introduce restrictions in the second quarter of 2026, later moving the timeline to September. The proposed export duty has now been withdrawn, with the Commission instead preparing a delegated act under the Waste Shipment Regulation. Under the new approach, exports of waste, including...
BAMA is bringing together the aerosol industry to develop a more consistent recycling message and strengthen consumer understanding of aerosol sustainability. The British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) is calling for industry-wide collaboration to improve how aerosol recycling is communicated to consumers, opening an online discussion to both members and non-members on September 14. The association wants to bring together as many voices from across the aerosol industry as possible to develop a more aligned approach to recycling communications. BAMA Chief Executive Patrick Heskins said the industry's ability to recycle aerosols is a key part of their sustainability credentials, but clear consumer messaging is needed to support better recycling outcomes. “Getting consumer...
Hydro has joined Siemens Mobility, TSR Group and Voestalpine in the Train2Train pilot project aimed at recovering aluminium from decommissioned trains and recycling it into components for new rail vehicles. The project brings together the rail value chain, from train dismantling and material recovery to recycling, processing and manufacturing, with a focus on material traceability and circularity. As part of the pilot, TSR Group will dismantle end-of-life rail vehicles and recover aluminium and steel for recycling. The recovered aluminium will be sent to Hydro’s recycling facility in Ghlin, Belgium, where it will be melted and processed into extrusion billets. These billets will then be used as input material at Hydro’s extrusion facility in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, to produce new...
Canada is using a mix of federal funding, provincial recycling rules and private investment to build a stronger market for recycled aluminium. Over the past five years, policy changes and new projects have improved scrap collection, added remelting capacity and reinforced the country’s position as a low-carbon aluminium hub. Recycled aluminium requires up to 95 per cent less energy than primary metal and emits far less carbon dioxide. That makes it strategically important for decarbonisation, supply security and cost control in automotive, construction, packaging and other sectors. Canada already has a large primary aluminium industry and well-established scrap systems; recent initiatives are now focused on tightening the loop between scrap collection, recycling and end use. ELYSIS...
St Helens Borough Council and Alupro are urging residents to improve aluminium foil recycling through a month-long campaign focused on better sorting at the kerbside. St Helens Borough Council has launched a month-long campaign to help residents identify and recycle aluminium foil correctly through their kerbside collections. The Foil me Once campaign, delivered in partnership with Alupro, is running throughout September with radio advertising, social media content, website information and media coverage aimed at improving awareness of metal packaging recycling. A central part of the campaign is the ‘scrunch test’, which residents can use to distinguish aluminium foil from plastic packaging that may look similar. If packaging stays scrunched into a ball, it is likely to be aluminium and...
Germany’s aluminium scrap trade showed signs of recovery in the first half of 2026, with exports to the world reaching 616,000 tonnes, up 4.58 per cent from 589,000 tonnes in H1 2025. The increase was even more pronounced against the second half of 2025, with H1 2026 shipments rising 7.50 per cent from 573,000 tonnes. However, exports remained 4.05 per cent below the 642,000 tonnes recorded in H1 2024. Among Germany’s leading destinations, Italy retained the top spot, Austria and France gained the most, Poland lost ground, and the Netherlands saw only limited growth. If we look at the percentage of the share, Italy took 15.58 per cent of Germany’s scrap exports, followed by Austria at 13.64 per cent, the Netherlands at 10.06 per cent, Poland at 8.12 per cent and France at 6.17 per cent....
Emirates Global Aluminium has completed its acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in Italy's Eco Green, strengthening its aluminium scrap collection, sorting and recycling network across Europe. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is expanding its aluminium recycling business in Europe with the completed acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in Italian recycler Eco Green, adding scrap collection, sorting, casting and dross-processing capabilities to its growing recycled aluminium network. The deal, first announced in April, has cleared all required regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Eco Green will now be rebranded EGA Eco Green, while the Scappini family will retain a minority stake and remain involved in management. The acquisition gives EGA access to a wider pool of aluminium scrap in...
Aluminium cans are under the spotlight among consumers and beverage manufacturers looking for more recyclable packaging, with the material already holding a strong circularity position against plastic and glass. Recorp tunes it further with ReCan85, an aluminium beverage can containing 85 per cent recycled aluminium , aimed at giving manufacturers a higher-recycled-content packaging option. From recycling advantage to higher recycled content The conversation around beverage packaging has already highlighted aluminium’s recycling advantage. Aluminium beverage cans recorded a 74.8 per cent recycling rate , compared with 47 per cent for PET bottles and 41.9 per cent for glass bottles in 2023. With a 75.6 per cent collection rate, aluminium cans are placed at the forefront of recycled...
Commodity price volatility continues to create a significant commercial challenge for aluminium recyclers, affecting inventory valuation, purchase decisions, sales commitments and margins. As businesses navigate increasingly dynamic metal markets, understanding how to identify and manage price exposure is becoming an important part of commercial risk management. Against this backdrop, AL Circle is bringing back its specialised “ Hedging for Recyclers: Become an Expert in 6 Hours ” programme for its fourth edition, designed to help recyclers, scrap traders and other metal-market professionals build practical capabilities in commodity price risk management. Price volatility puts recycler margins under pressure For aluminium recyclers, exposure to aluminium prices can emerge at several...
A WBCSD study says advanced sorting technology is available, but stronger demand for grade-specific secondary aluminium is needed to unlock investment. Technology for sorting mixed aluminium scrap has advanced significantly, but weak domestic markets for some recovered grades are limiting investment in automated sorting infrastructure, according to a study by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The study, conducted through WBCSD's North America Aluminum Initiative, examined whether technologies such as X-ray transmission (XRT) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) could help transform mixed aluminium scrap into higher-quality, grade-specific secondary metal for domestic use. Its conclusion is that technology is only part of the equation. Recyclers...
The aluminium industry stands at a juncture material quality, recycling capacity, cross-border cooperation, carbon compliance and energy security are falling into a network of interconnectivity. The aluminium supply chain is evolving from simply securing enough metal to securing the right quality, the right carbon profile, the right technology and the right energy at the right cost. For businesses, this means supply-chain decisions are increasingly becoming strategic rather than purely transactional. From secondary aluminium trust to a recycling ecosystem India’s secondary aluminium market is expanding, but buyers need stronger checks before committing to suppliers, as trust has to accompany volume. As Indian buyers increase their participation in secondary aluminium, supplier...
Advanced sorting technologies could help the US unlock up to USD 2.3 billion in annual domestic aluminium processing value by upgrading mixed scrap that is currently exported or downcycled, according to a new initiative by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The North America Aluminum Initiative, launched by WBCSD’s Critical Materials Collective, examined how technologies such as X-Ray Transmission (XRT) and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) could separate mixed aluminium scrap into alloy-specific streams. The initiative also assessed whether complementary demand from different industries could support investment in advanced sorting infrastructure. The opportunity is significant because around 2 million tonnes of US aluminium scrap are exported...
