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 Aerosol Recycling Initiative, a collaboration between the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA), unveils its strategic white paper aiming to propel aerosol recycling in the US to new heights. By 2030, the initiative aims to boost the accessibility of aerosol recycling facilities to at least 85% of consumers and ensure that 90% of aerosol cans feature explicit recycling instructions. With nearly 4 billion aerosol containers purchased annually in the US, amounting to approximately 300,000 tons of steel or aluminium, this initiative holds significant environmental promise. CMI's senior vice president of sustainability, Scott Breen, addresses prevalent misconceptions surrounding aerosol can recycling. The campaign seeks to dispel...
This week, India's imported aluminium scrap market saw a notable uptick, buoyed by the positive trajectory of LME futures prices, which surged by $50 per tonne week-over-week (W-o-W) to hit $2600 per tonne. As of the latest report, the three-month LME price stood at approximately $2,600 per tonne, reflecting a 2.5 per cent increase from the previous week's $2,550 per tonne. Concurrently, stocks were recorded at 500,000 tonnes, marking a 3.4 per cent decrease week-over-week. Sanctions pushed aluminium prices upwards The surge in aluminium prices on the commodity exchange market during the week can be attributed to the sanctions imposed by the US and UK on Russian metals, alongside concerns of supply chain disruptions stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions. As one of the key players in...
Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, has reportedly planned to invest NOK 180 million in developing a state-of-the-art aluminium scrap sorting facility at its recycling plant in Wrexham, UK. As per the report, the facility will be able to source and sort over 30,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap and will be built next to Hydro’s aluminium extrusion ingot recycling plant. Barry Salisbury, Hydro’s plant manager in Wrexham, said: “This new facility enables us to optimally sort a large variety of post-consumer scrap grades that are mainly exported out of the UK today, before continuing to the next step of the recycling process. This is an essential improvement in material flow that allows us to meet the increasing demand for low-carbon aluminium that we see...
In the heart of Middlesbrough, a glimmer of hope emerges for Cupral Group as a new deal breathes life into the troubled metal recycling company. Despite facing recent financial turbulence, the firm has found a lifeline, safeguarding the livelihoods of 30 employees. Established in 2018, Cupral specialises in refining copper and aluminium, transforming them into high-purity, low-carbon materials optimised for furnace utilisation. Administrators, navigating through the complexities, orchestrated a pivotal takeover, ensuring the continuity of operations at the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park. Administrators at FRP Advisory spearheaded a meticulous negotiation process, culminating in a pivotal agreement with an independent metal recycling entity. This intricate deal, spanning multiple...
Around 200,000 vehicles in the Estonian traffic register have destroyed, lost, or suspended registrations. Starting in 2025, owners of these vehicles may be required to pay motor vehicle tax. However, the Ministry of Climate has proposed a bill to exempt individuals who have vehicles with unknown whereabouts registered in their name, as well as those whose cars lack necessary documentation for scrappage, from paying this tax. Estonia is a country in Northern Europe that borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The World Bank designates Estonia as an advanced, high-income market economy noted for balanced government budgets, a flat income tax, low tariffs, and low public debt. In the future, scrap metal owners will have the opportunity to bring their undocumented, old, and unusable...
Delving into the heart of sustainable aluminium production, Hydro unveils an enigmatic project with its latest investment of NOK 240 million in a cutting-edge recycling facility nestled near its primary aluminium plant in Høyanger. Mayor of Høyanger - Petter Sortland, Executive Vice President of Hydro Energy - Arvid Moss, Plant Manager - Ann Synnøve Øygård and Minister of Finance - Trygve Slagsvold Vedum during the opening ceremony This pioneering initiative not only highlights Hydro's commitment to environmental stewardship but also signifies a significant stride towards a greener future in the aluminium industry. In an era where environmental consciousness soars supreme, Hydro's purpose-built recycling facility emerges as a beacon of hope. Boasting an annual capacity of 36,000 tonnes,...
On April 18, 2024, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries announced that it rebranded its name and logo after over 35 years since it came into existence. It is now known as The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA). The news came after the association unveiled its new name and logo during the closing general session of ISRI2024 Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas. The association's new identity represents three strong visions – Sustainable, Resilient, Essential, considering recycled materials industry is sustainable, helping protect the environment; using recycled materials in product making upholds a circular economy and hence it is resilient; and recycling is essential to make everyday life better. According to Robin Wiener, President of the Recycled Materials Association, the...
Four prominent flat-rolled aluminium manufacturers, members of the European Aluminium Packaging Group (EAPG)—Constellium, Elval, Novelis, and Speira—have agreed to collaborate on a standardisation initiative to enhance the recycled content levels of beverage cans. This initiative is geared towards significantly reducing carbon emissions. The primary focus lies in increasing the recyclability of can ends. Currently, aluminium beverage cans contain two different aluminium alloys for the body, and the can end. While the aluminium used for the can body already boasts a high recycled content and supports exceptional recyclability, there remains untapped sustainability potential concerning the can end. About the project The project's central objective is to investigate alternative alloys that...
Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy giant Hydro has partnered with a team of esteemed designers to showcase the innovative potential of Hydro CIRCAL 100R at Milan Design Week 2024. This event marks a significant milestone in sustainable design, as Hydro CIRCAL 100R stands as the first industrial-scale aluminium material crafted entirely from post-consumer scrap. Under the artistic direction of Norwegian designer Lars Beller Fjetland, the exhibition ‘100R’ showcases a collection of exquisite creations ranging from table lamps to shelving systems. With each piece meticulously crafted from extruded aluminium, the designers – including Inga Sempé, Max Lamb, and Andreas Engesvik – have demonstrated the remarkable versatility and sustainability of this pioneering material. The designer,...
Norsk Hydro ASA, the world’s leading Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, has reportedly incorporated a recycling unit in its Ardal primary aluminium smelter in Norway. As per the report, the company has invested NOK 100 million in deploying a recycling technology, as an effort to increase recycling and meet the demand for low-carbon aluminium in European markets. Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, has rightly pointed out that the demand for low-carbon aluminium is increasing, particularly in the automotive industry. So, this new recycling unit of Hydro will facilitate the end-user industries with recycled aluminium and help them reduce carbon footprint in their value chain and get closer to achieving sustainability goals. The new recycling...
Sparklo, the global leader in AI-driven cleantech solutions, has achieved a remarkable milestone in its endeavour to revolutionise recycling and advance sustainability in the UAE. In just over a year since its inception, Sparklo has successfully deployed 170 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), aptly named Sparklomats, throughout the UAE. A staggering 14.5 million aluminium cans and plastic bottles now rest within the embrace of Sparklo's ingenuity. This feat translates to an impressive saving of over 2,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions, marking a significant stride towards a greener, more sustainable future. RVMs- the heart of Sparklo's vision These Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), the heart of Sparklo's vision, have become ubiquitous, gracing the landscape through partnerships with luminaries...
According to the US Census Bureau survey, the United States aluminium scrap exports initiated the year 2024 with an annual decline of 5,000 tonnes or 3.13 per cent, reaching 155,000 tonnes. In January 2023, the United States aluminium scrap exports amounted to 160,000 tonnes. The year-on-year drop in aluminium scrap exports could be attributed to the lower volume of scrap recovery. In January 2024, the United States recovered 275,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap – 3,000 tonnes less than 278,000 tonnes in January 2023. However, the scrap recovery increased month-on-month in January 2024 by 13,000 tonnes or 4.96 per cent from 262,000 tonnes. Thus, the exports also rose, albeit at a lower rate than scrap recovery growth, from 152,000 tonnes. The United States aluminium scrap exports rose...
In the bustling city of Vienna, an ambitious initiative has taken root, heralding a new dawn for sustainable production and reuse of aluminium. The RecAL (Recycling technologies for circular ALuminium) project, funded by HORIZON EUROPE, stands as a beacon of innovation in the quest for a circular economy. Spearheaded by the LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen, a subsidiary of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, this collaborative effort unites 19 partner organisations across nine European nations. At its core, the RecAL project hopes to develop eccentric recycling technologies and a digital platform, the RecAL Hub. This digital cockpit serves as the nexus for a continent-wide aluminium recycling ecosystem, seamlessly connecting suppliers, buyers, and technology providers. By...
According to China customs data, China's total aluminium scrap imports from January to February 2024 amounted to 289,000 tonnes, reflecting an annual hike of 19.2 per cent. In individual months, the imports stood at 171,000 tonnes and 118,000 tonnes, respectively, experiencing a significant rise of 68 per cent and a fall of 16.1 per cent annually. Malaysia was the highest exporter of aluminium scrap to China, with 54,000 tonnes of volume, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the latter's total imports during January-February. Thailand was the second-highest exporter with 39,000 tonnes, accounting for 13.6 per cent, followed by Japan with the export volume of 30,000 tonnes, accounting for 10.4 per cent, and the UK and the US with a combined 46,200 tonnes, accounting for 16 per cent. Guangdong...
Recycling enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland are celebrating as two remarkable groups receive national recognition for their outstanding contributions to aluminium can recycling. The not-for-profit organisation, Every Can Counts, awarded the prestigious Green Can Award to Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Recycle for Kicks Count NI. These groups, driven by their passion for environmental sustainability and charity, have collectively raised nearly £40,000 through their dedicated efforts. Led by Janice and David Lipscombe, Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance emerged in September 2019 as a small community initiative. Today, boasting over 239 members on Facebook and a strong presence in the Hampshire community, the...
The spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot, equivalent to automobile grade, saw a modest rise of INR 2,000 per tonne to reach INR 213,000 per tonne week-on-week (w-o-w) exw Delhi, excluding GST. In the current market, firm offers are noted in Delhi and Chennai at INR 182,000-183,000 per tonne. However, the workable levels in Chennai hover around INR 181,000 per tonne. Notably, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai has climbed to INR 215,000-216,000 per tonne exw on immediate terms, excluding GST, marking an increase of up to INR 3,000 per tonne compared to the previous week. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) prices for ADC12 are currently under spot prices due to long-term contracts. "At present, we're exclusively fulfilling ADC12 orders through bulk contracts at fixed prices and...
Mentos, one of the most innovative candy brands globally, has extended its hands in collaboration with VML and Dartmouth University to launch the 'WIFI Refresh' campaign aimed at improving internet speed for Brazilians. The campaign is based on a study conducted by Dartmouth University, which found that placing aluminium foil around router antennas can improve the signal and reduce interference. Mentos has created step-by-step tutorials to teach people how to use the aluminium packaging of their candies for this purpose. The campaign will also feature influencers and Loud ambassadors to amplify the message. This can be considered an exciting aluminium foil recycling initiative that Mentos has proposed. The communication strategy is focused on reverberation marketing, where content is not...
Imported aluminium scrap prices in India increased slightly, bolstered by the rising trend in LME (London Metal Exchange) futures prices and persistent supply shortages. As reported, the three-month LME price stood at around $2,375 per tonne, marking a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the previous week's price of $2,319 per tonne. Concurrently, stocks were noted at 554,475 tonnes, indicating a 1 per cent decline week-over-week. According to assessments provided by BigMint, aluminium imported scrap prices in India have climbed by as much as 2.5 per cent, which aligns with the upward trajectory of aluminium futures. Tense scrap originating from the UAE experienced a $30 per tonne increase, reaching $1,880 per tonne. Similarly, Zorba 95/5 of UK origin saw a $10 per tonne uptick, settling at...
