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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India is witnessing a surge in imported aluminium prices this week driven by several factors, including a notable increase in futures, limited availability of material, and a positive shift in demand. Across various grades of aluminium scrap, prices have risen by approximately $25-35/t w-o-w. According to BigMint's assessment, Tense scrap of Middle East (UAE) origin has experienced a $20/t increase, reaching $1,720/t. Simultaneously, scrap prices from the US have seen a $30 per tonne (t) hike, now standing at $1,790/t w-o-w. Notably, the sellers have reported that Zorba 95-5 of UK origin is currently facing challenges in the Indian market due to the Red Sea incident. As a result, Tense Scrap is gaining preference among buyers. Furthermore, an indentor shared with BigMint that the prices...
Latvia, a country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia, has announced its achievement of an 80 per cent return rate since it launched a deposit return system (DRS) for drink container recycling made of aluminium, plastic or glass. Latvia launched a deposit return system (DRS) on February 1, 2022, with global reverse vending leader TOMRA Collection. TOMRA’s innovative reverse vending solutions keep bottles and cans in the loop of reuse and out of streets, oceans, and landfills. Within only thirteen months between the appointment of the local DRS operator and the full public launch of the system, Latvia’s landmark achievement reflects an efficient return scheme of used containers for recycling. The deposit return system in Latvia uses a return-to-retail model, where consumers...
Qcells, a prominent player in the U.S. solar panel manufacturing landscape, has forged a unique partnership with SOLARCYCLE, a cutting-edge solar recycling firm, ushering in a new era of sustainability. This collaboration is not only the first of its kind but also holds immense promise for the aluminium industry, emphasising a circular, clean energy supply chain. SOLARCYCLE, based in Odessa, Texas, stands out with its technology-driven solar recycling approach. With a focus on extracting over 95% of a solar panel's value, well above the industry norm of 50%, the company employs patented methods to efficiently recycle materials like aluminium, silver, copper, silicon, and low-iron glass. This forward-looking initiative aligns with Qcells' commitment to building a more sustainable clean...
Day three of the 11th International Material Recycling Conference unfolded with a symphony of voices echoing the challenges and triumphs of the aluminium industry. Dhawal Shah, Sr Vice President of MRAI and Partner at Metco Ventures LLP, took centre stage, vividly painting India's rapidly growing non-ferrous industry. Dhawal Shah, Partner at Metco Ventures LLP, in his own words Shah delved into the heart of the matter, highlighting the stark contrast in per capita aluminium consumption. India lags behind the global average, a mere 2.5 kilos compared to the world's 11 kilos. The narrative extends to copper and zinc, unveiling a gap in consumption that mirrors the expanding need for these non-ferrous metals. Challenges arise, both internal and external. Shah pinpointed the import-centric...
SOLARCYCLE, a pioneering solar recycling company, has unveiled its cutting-edge headquarters in Mesa, Arizona. This strategic location is set to become a hub for innovation, housing a state-of-the-art research lab poised to propel the company's technologies forward. The implications are not only limited to technological advancements but extend to the local community as SOLARCYCLE gears up to create over 100 jobs. SOLARCYCLE's Mesa facility, as per their vision, is set to commence recycling 250,000 solar panels annually, with plans to escalate this figure to a staggering 1 million panels per year. This ambitious demanufacturing capacity is not only a testament to SOLARCYCLE's commitment to sustainable practices but also a significant contributor to the local job market. Roles spanning...
Tesem harnesses the distinctive properties of aluminium to meet the demanding durability and aesthetic requirements established by luxury perfume and cosmetics brands. They are teaming up with Constellium, the Spanish conglomerate that endeavours to reduce the carbon footprint linked with its manufacturing of packaging components. The Alupro Aluminum Packaging Organisation has recently been unveiled as the newest sponsor for the forthcoming Letsrecycle Communications Conference, set to take place at the Hallam Centre in London on February 7th. Following the recent introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the Republic of Ireland, a fresh study conducted by the recycling non-profit organization Every Can Counts has revealed that approximately 29 per cent of Irish individuals...
Barry Salisbury, a native of Wrexham, has been named the new managing director of Hydro's aluminium recycling plant located in Wrexham, UK. Assuming his position in January 2024, Barry will transition from his previous role as operations manager at the same recycling facility. He takes over the reins from Wayne Clifton, another Wrexham native, who has been elevated to the position of Head of Recycling Europe at Hydro. In his new capacity, Salisbury will report directly to Clifton. Barry, who holds a first-class bachelor’s degree with honours in Mechatronic Engineering from the University of Manchester, has been serving as the Maintenance Manager at Hydro Wrexham since 2013. While ensuring the safety of every employee at the plant remains his utmost priority, Barry equally emphasises the...
Lidl, the widely known supermarket chain became the first to introduce reverse vending machines (RVM) in its Glasgow stores, allowing customers to receive five pence per container returned without any limit on the number of items. This initiative by Lidl, spanning all 21 stores in the city, will issue vouchers to shoppers for returning empty aluminium and plastic drink containers. About the scheme The scheme welcomes aluminium cans and bottles from any retailer, provided they meet specific criteria: cleanliness, absence of crushing and falling within the 100 ml to 3L size range, complete with a readable barcode. Excluded items encompass dairy products in HDPE plastic, Tetra Pak and paper-based cartons, glass containers, and pouches. Empowering shoppers to actively combat plastic...
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automobile sector saw M-o-M surge in aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot prices, climbing by INR 6,000 per tonne to reach INR 204,000 per tonne, excluding GST, at the ex-works (exw) Delhi rate. Meanwhile, spot prices for ADC12 alloy ingots increased by INR 1,500 per tonne week-over-week, reaching INR 198,500 per tonne, excluding GST. What's driving up costs? In the north Indian market, the shortage of raw materials, specifically tense scrap, has led to elevated prices, with tense scrap currently priced at INR 167,000-168,000 per tonne exy Delhi, excluding GST. India's largest automobile manufacturer and the price settler in the domestic aluminium alloy ingot space announced its monthly aluminium alloy ingot ADC12 settlement prices at INR 199,500 per...
The Indian market for imported aluminium scrap has experienced a recent price decline, attributed to a drop in futures despite constrained material availability. Prices across all grades of aluminium scrap have notably decreased by as much as $140 per tonne on a week-over-week basis. As per BigMint's assessment, tense scrap of Middle East origin, specifically from the UAE, has decreased by US$20 per tonne to US$1,700 per tonne. Meanwhile, scrap prices from the US have dropped by US$15 per tonne, currently standing at US$1,760 per tonne, w-o-w. Moreover, the bid-offer dynamics for specific scrap grades exhibit inconsistencies, introducing an element of uncertainty into the market; market participants are in a wait-and-watch mode, and sources are conveyed to BigMint. The three-month futures...
During the week ending on February 2, 2024, base metals prices experienced a significant downturn on the London Metal Exchange (LME), with three-month aluminium futures dropping by 1.8 per cent to $2,233 per tonne, while nickel settled at $16,235 per tonne, marking a 3.3 per cent decrease. Throughout the week, spot market prices for primary aluminium ingots (P1020) experienced gains spurred by major primary players' price increases. In India, spot prices for aluminium ADC12 alloy ingots rose by INR 7,000 per tonne week-over-week to INR 197,000 per tonne, propelled by escalating local and imported tense scrap prices. Contrary to the global trend, prices in the Indian non-ferrous metals sector remained elevated. Both imported and domestic segments witnessed gains, according to evaluations...
Tesem leverages the unique qualities of aluminium to fulfil the durability and aesthetic standards set by luxury perfume and cosmetics brands. Collaborating with Constellium, the Spanish group aims to minimize the carbon footprint associated with its production of packaging components. Nevertheless, the exacting aesthetic demands of the luxury industry do not always align with the characteristics of recycled aluminium. A significant portion of the existing supply originates from lower-grade food packaging, posing challenges in directly applying high-end packaging components. Tesem has joined forces with Constellium, an aluminium supplier equipped with recycling capabilities in response to this challenge. In this collaborative effort, any aluminium scraps not utilized by Tesem are returned...
Sohar Aluminium (SA) held Oman’s first ‘Aluminium Recycling Forum 2024: Forging the future,’ under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority, at JW Mariott Hotel, Muscat. The Forum, which was supported by the Environment Authority, marked a platform bringing together key players in the Oman aluminium industry, metal recyclers, and academia to understand the current situation in the Sultanate of Oman for aluminium scrap and source opportunities for in-country recycling. This first-of-its-kind Forum featured several insightful presentations, discussions, and keynote speeches from industry pioneers such as Ms. Marlen Bertram, Director – Of scenarios and Forecasts, International Aluminium Institute and presentations by Dr. Majid Al Maharbi,...
Alupro, the Aluminium Packaging Organisation, has just been announced as the latest sponsor for the upcoming Letsrecycle Communications Conference, scheduled at the Hallam Centre in London on February 7th. This conference serves as a gathering for waste management professionals from diverse local authorities across the UK, offering a forum to celebrate progress and share best practices in the industry. Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, said, “Letsrecycle Communications Conference is a key date in our calendar, and we’re pleased to be sponsoring this year’s event. The team is looking forward to meeting delegates and discussing the positive impact that our campaigns can deliver. We firmly believe that collaboration can drive measurable change. If you’re looking for proven...
A new recycling technique is doing rounds in the market, capable of giving a new life to broken bicycle frames, used car parts, and twisted aluminium mesh in the form of door and window frames. The US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington has developed a new process called Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion Process (ShAPE) that can transform 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium scrap into usable extrusions. Also, the products made out of the process meet or exceed stringent ASTM standards (American Society for Testing and Materials) in terms of strength and flexibility for common building-grade alloys. The most significant advantage of this new process is that it can save almost 90 per cent of energy when making aluminium building...
Australia is at the forefront of global solar adoption, boasting over 3.3 million households equipped with rooftop solar panels. However, the initial wave of installations is now ageing, and the first set of panels is approaching the end of their operational life. This has led to projections by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), indicating that the country could face a significant challenge in managing solar panel waste. According to conservative estimates, Australia's cumulative photovoltaic (PV) waste might reach 2 to 3 million tonnes by 2050. If ambitious installation targets are met, the waste could double. The researchers have projected a forecast up to seven times greater than previous literature and one to two times higher than the waste forecast provided by...
After the recent launch of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the Republic of Ireland, a new study conducted by recycling non-profit organisation Every Can Counts has unveiled that nearly 29 per cent of individuals in Ireland need more confidence in understanding how to utilise the program effectively. Furthermore, 78 per cent of individuals residing in the Republic of Ireland exhibit a heightened likelihood of choosing a drink container if they perceive it as recyclable. At the forefront of their preferences are aluminium cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles. Despite the prevailing uncertainty about the intricacies of the process, a significant majority, almost 69 per cent, expressed that the recently introduced Deposit Return Scheme will catalyse increased recycling. The primary...
Envisioning a sustainable future, EVERY CAN COUNTS has ignited its U.S. chapter, spreading its recycling campaign overseas to promote the circularity of aluminium beverage cans. This collaborative effort brings together major players in the aluminium industry, including aluminium packaging suppliers like Ardagh Metal Packaging, CANPACK, Crown Holdings, Envases, and aluminium producers Constellium, Kaiser Aluminum, Novelis, and Tri-Arrows Aluminum. CMI's senior vice president of sustainability, Scott Breen, implied: "Supporting Recycle Dat at Mardi Gras is the perfect way to launch EVERY CAN COUNTS U.S. because it brings can recycling to an event where there are many beverages enjoyed in aluminium cans, but essentially no public space for recycling them once they are empty." Ambitious...
