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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As we celebrate March 18th as 'Global Recycling Day', it's time to shine a spotlight on one of the unsung heroes of the recycling world: aluminium. Amidst the global efforts to mitigate environmental degradation and combat the looming spectre of climate change, aluminium stands tall as a beacon of sustainability and circularity. With its remarkable properties, aluminium has become an indispensable material in modern society. From the aerospace industry to everyday household items, its lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and infinitely recyclable nature has revolutionised various sectors while reducing environmental impacts. On this auspicious occasion, let us delve into the profound significance of aluminium recycling and its pivotal role in fostering a sustainable future. The aluminium...
On March 14, Ball Aluminum Cups®, together with Copper Mountain Resort and the POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Corporation, announced that they successfully installed a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at Jack's Slopeside Grill in Copper Mountain, a famous mountain and ski resort in Colorado, to boost the practice of aluminium recycling in the mountain town. The reverse vending machine installed in Copper Mountain is powered by the Recycle Track Systems® (RTS) Cycle platform. Recycle Track Systems® is a leading recycling data collection provider. It helps businesses and communities manage waste more responsibly using technology to streamline collection routes and stay in contact with pickup sites. The installation of RVM will help the mountain town increase recycling rates, incentivising aluminium...
The St Patrick's Festival, held every year, will be held this upcoming weekend (16th and 17th March). At the Festival Quarter, a giant rainbow adorned with 1,500 recycled aluminium cans will be displayed. This vibrant structure is the brainchild of Every Can Counts, a not-for-profit organisation, in collaboration with Loreto College, nestled in St Stephen's Green. Jackie Dempsey, Principal at Loreto College, said, "We couldn't be prouder of our transition year pupils and their support of Every Can Counts' installation at the St Patrick's Festival this year. After several months of collecting cans from all over Dublin, it's great to see their hard work come to fruition in the giant rainbow. The installation is not only eye-catching but also a great reminder of the importance of recycling...
The quest for effective recycling solutions intensifies as the world's dependence on electronics continues to grow. Electronics often contain a mix of metals like aluminium, zinc, and copper, which pose challenges to proper separation and recycling. Recent research has found a remarkable solution in spent brewer's yeast, a byproduct of beer production and a key ingredient in Marmite. About the discovery In groundbreaking experiments, scientists have demonstrated that spent brewer's yeast (by-product of beer production) can be used multiple times to extract metals such as aluminium, zinc, and copper from solutions. The results were impressive when tested with a polymetallic waste stream: more than half of the copper and a remarkable 90 per cent of the zinc were successfully recovered....
Spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingots (automobile equivalent grade) surged by INR 2,000 per ton to reach INR 207,000 per tonne week-on-week, excluding GST, in ex-works Delhi. This uptick was driven by a notable increase in local tense scrap prices across north and south India, where persistent shortages remain a significant concern, as reported by BigMint assessments. Currently, tense scrap offers in Chennai are at INR 173,000 per tonne. However, actual trade levels are observed within the range of INR 172,000 to INR 172,500 per tonne. Furthermore, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai is approximately INR 210,000 to INR 212,000 per tonne ex-works, excluding GST. Market dynamics: Insights from participants This week, ADC12 prices have remained strong, driven mainly by the limited...
The Scottish waste management company Cireco has celebrated the achievements of its automated residual line, located at the materials recycling facility (MRF) near Dunfermline. In September 2022, Cierco integrated three AI robots obtained from Recycleye. These robots were installed over a conveyor belt and were responsible for managing reject material at the MRF, a task previously carried out by three manual pickers. Since the implementation of these robots, which process 30,000 tonnes of recyclables from the Fife council, there has been a notable enhancement in the recovery of recyclable materials. Moreover, the system has demonstrated flexibility in adjusting to variations in the composition of the recycling stream. David Goodenough, the Service Manager at Cireco, said, "We have...
The imported aluminium scrap prices in the Indian market are experiencing an upward trend, which is attributed to several factors. These include the notable increase in aluminium LME (London Metal Exchange) levels, a scarcity of material both domestically and globally, and rising freight rates. The three-month LME price stood at approximately $2,260 per metric ton, marking a $40 per tonne increase week-over-week. Concurrently, stocks were reported at 577,675 metric tons, representing a 1 per cent decline week-over-week, further contributing to the rise in LME prices. As per assessments conducted by BigMint, imported aluminium scrap prices have surged by up to 2.6 per cent. Tense scrap originating from the UAE witnessed a $35 per metric ton increase, reaching $1,825 per metric ton, while...
re3 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is a waste management partnership between Bracknell Forest, Reading, and Wokingham Borough councils. Teaming up with Alupro, re3 is urging residents of Reading and Wokingham to recycle their aluminium foil more. Launched on March 6, the "Fantastic Foil" initiative will reach households through a vibrant social media drive and eye-catching promotional signage at the re3 recycling centres. Together with FCC Environment, they are dedicated to delivering top-notch recycling and waste management services that are both efficient and budget-friendly for the residents. But that's not all—students from schools across the three boroughs were invited to join the fun by participating in a competition to craft spring-themed sculptures using clean, recycled aluminium foil....
Aluminium, a versatile metal, holds immense importance in numerous industries and everyday applications. Its lightweight nature and impressive strength and durability make it indispensable in the aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors. Aluminium's high strength-to-weight ratio allows for fuel efficiency and structural integrity, from aircraft frames to car bodies. Products like aluminium alloy ingots are used in medical equipment manufacturing, cans for packaging, crafts and art that can be transformed into ornamental objects or sculptures. The ADC12 Aluminium Alloy Ingots are a popular PDC alloy widely favoured for crafting components in engineering, electric lighting, and automotive industries. This alloy, essential for producing PDC parts, is versatile enough to be...
The demand for recycled aluminium has been growing steadily during the last decade. Many aluminium producers now offer green aluminium products, which contain more recycled aluminium content and are produced using clean energy. West Devon Borough Council has recently introduced MetalMatters, an industry-supported campaign focused on encouraging households to recycle a variety of metal items, including aluminium cans, foil, empty aerosols, trays, tubes, and metal screw tops. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance kerbside recycling rates in the region. Cllr Mandy Ewings, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said, “Many residents are already committed to recycling and reducing waste, which is great news, but we can do more. It’s worth remembering that every aluminium can...
Warrington Borough Council, the local authority of Warrington, Cheshire, England, recently received an outline planning application from Latchford Locks Works. The proposal on Thelwall Lane seeks to expand its aluminium recycling capabilities significantly. The plan includes extending the Used Beverage Can (UBC) plant to enhance productivity and generate more employment prospects. Comprehending the expansion strategy The proposal's primary focus centres on expanding the UBC plant to accommodate integrating a novel production line capable of processing UBCs with elevated organic content. This endeavour aims to bolster the facility's recycling capabilities and operational efficiency. The planned extension, spanning 90 meters in height and 57.04 meters in width, will be clad in profile metal...
On March 7, 2024, a monumental mural from over 30,000 bottle caps was unveiled in Glasgow. The mural, inspired by the renowned Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, was crafted using caps. The artwork, aptly named "Bottlecelli," stands at an impressive 25 feet tall and was commissioned by the supermarket chain Lidl. It commemorates the recycling of 253,000 PET plastic and aluminium containers through the brand's return scheme pilot, launched in February. This colossal masterpiece, aimed at "turning trash into treasure," reimagines Botticelli's iconic Birth of Venus. Its purpose is to inspire more shoppers and passersby to participate in efforts to reduce plastic pollution actively. Lidl has collaborated with renowned mural artist Smug and Yardworks, the graffiti program at SWG3 in Glasgow's...
Gränges has forged a strategic, enduring partnership with Scepter, Inc., to provide scrap-based aluminium ingots to its r olling and recycling centres across the United States. Securing access to recycled and low-carbon input materials is a pivotal facilitator for Gränges in delivering circular and sustainable aluminium solutions to its clientele, aligning with its 2040 net-zero objective. Under the terms of the ten-year agreement, Gränges Americas will procure scrap-based aluminium ingots from Scepter, enhancing its production of near-zero aluminium solutions. The estimated carbon emissions intensity of the ingots sourced stands at 0.3 tonnes CO2e/tonne, with Gränges intending to power its production processes through renewable electricity sources. This strategic move will bolster...
"The economic and social benefits of recycled aluminum are significant," said Li Xiehua, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Chinalco Advanced Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The company is lauded for its significant contributions to the automotive sector, particularly in pioneering aluminium alloy materials for lightweight components in new energy vehicles. This innovation aligns with global efforts towards energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Importance of recycled aluminium Li emphasised the stark contrast in energy consumption between manufacturing and recycling new aluminium. Producing a tonne of new aluminium requires a substantial 13,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, whereas a mere 600 kilowatt-hours are...
The spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot (equivalent to automobile grade) in Delhi remain steady at INR 204,000 per tonne week-on-week, excluding GST. This stability persists despite the rise in local Tense scrap prices, especially in regions like north and south India, where shortages have been noted. Market dynamics: Insights from participants In Chennai, current offers for Tense scrap range between INR 172,000 and INR 173,000 per tonne. However, bids are being placed in INR 170,000 to INR 171,000 per tonne. Meanwhile, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai is reported at INR 208,000 to INR 210,000 per tonne ex-warehouse. Despite the tight availability of Tense scrap, ADC12 prices have remained relatively stable throughout the week. This shortage is affecting the northern region's...
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 27th edition of its annual 'Can Collection Day' held on February 24, 2024. The initiative titled "With a #CANDO Attitude the Future is in our Hands" collected around 7,002 kgs of aluminium cans and a total of 415,028 kgs since its inception. Raising awareness about recycling This national environmental initiative serves to raise awareness about the critical role of recycling in safeguarding the planet. Since its inception in 1997, the Can Collection Campaign has stood as a beacon within EEG's mission to champion sustainability, foster environmental stewardship, and cultivate community involvement. This year's flagship event, the Can Collection Day, witnessed an extraordinary turnout from every segment...
In the initial eight months of a new sustainability initiative, Cherwell District Council reported that over one million aluminium or plastic coffee pods have been recycled. Collaborating with the non-profit organization Podback, the council has been collecting used pods from residents for recycling. Since its launch in May 2023, approximately 3,000 households have participated in the scheme. Following collection, the pods undergo transportation to specialized reprocessing plants for recycling. Upon joining the scheme, participants are provided with white or green bags based on their use of aluminium or plastic coffee pods. Councillor Andrew McHugh, portfolio holder for cleaner and greener communities, said, "Waste reduction and recycling are key commitments for the council, but we can...
Every Can Counts has recently announced an exciting new partnership with one of the UK's leading brewers, Molson Coors Beverage Company. This collaboration marks a significant step for the not-for-profit initiative, which aims to promote the recycling of aluminium drink cans. About the partnership Under this partnership, Molson Coors, renowned for producing popular brands such as Carling, Coors, and Madrí Excepcional, will work closely with Every Can Counts, drink can manufacturers and the wider recycling industry. Together, they will raise awareness about the importance of recycling drink cans, particularly at events and festivals. Molson Coors will be the first brewer to commit to an annual partnership with Every Can Counts in the UK in a groundbreaking move. By doing so, Molson Coors...
