Aluminium Scrap Import
US aluminum scrap imports jump to 580kt in H1 2026; Canada leads with 64% share
The US aluminum industry is becoming increasingly dependent on aluminum scrap, with the Aluminum Association noting that 85% of aluminum produced in the US comes from secondary sources. Against this backdrop, US imports of aluminum scrap have continued to rise year-on-year. During January-June, or the first half (H1) of 2026, the US imported 580,000 metric tons of aluminum scrap, valued at $2.07 billion. The US-Canada trade relations are a recurring headline with tariff and duty updates from both sides. Interestingly, when it comes to aluminum scrap trade, Canada accounts for a staggering 63.62% share as a supplier to the US. Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. The H1 growth chart: 2026 vs 2025 vs 2024 Comparing the...
5083 aluminium holds durable growth potential, but real demand will hinge on marine, transport and defence programmes
In an interview with AL Circle, Rafael Suchan, CEO and co-founder of Metycle, a vertically integrated secondary metals company headquartered in Cologne, Germany, has shared his thoughts on the European Union’s aluminium scrap sourcing strategy and the demand trends of scrap grades. According to Rafael, the EU must aim for more scrap sourcing options since the bloc’s tighter non-OECD waste-export rules may lead to scrap material leaving Europe. Regarding aluminium scrap grades in demand, UBC scrap, clean extrusion scrap and segregated sheet are the highest consuming grades. Upon asking about the growth opportunities of 5083 high-magnesium aluminium alloys, he further said the pace will follow actual marine, transport and defence programmes. Before co-founding Metycle, Rafael Suchan served...
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15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
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15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
ALUMINIUM Arabia 2026
ICSOBA 2026 - 44th International Conference and Exhibition
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
LEARN MOREWho’s holding up Germany’s aluminium game? Meet EGA, Hydro and Constellium
Germany’s aluminium FRP consumption reaches 1.68 Mt as 2025 trade surplus tops $3.1 billion
AL Circle Analysis: Europe’s aluminium scrap curbs, India’s risk and US’s supply opportunity
German downstream aluminium exports fall 13% in H1 2026 but US enters top 5 with 228.1% import surge
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AL Circle Analysis: Europe’s aluminium scrap curbs, India’s risk and US’s supply opportunity
Aluminium recycling is supposed to be the industry’s easiest win — economic and eco-friendly. Interestingly, this is where the plot thickens. Aluminium recycling is moving from a sustainability objective to a strategic supply-chain issue, with scrap availability, domestic recovery, cross-border waste rules and decarbonisation policy influencing where recycled metal can be produced and consumed. Recent developments across Europe, such as the UK and Greece, in the US and India reveal that investment in recycling is accelerating, but access to suitable scrap and the rules governing its movement are becoming equally important. Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. Europe wants more recycled aluminium, but what is the...
EU aluminium scrap export rules face BIR pushback over India, Malaysia, Thailand cut-off
The EU aluminium scrap market could face disruption if proposed changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) restrict access to major Asian recycling destinations, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned. The Brussels-based association issued its response after the European Commission published a draft proposal on September 18 listing non-OECD countries authorised to receive certain non-hazardous materials from the EU . Excluding countries such as India , Malaysia and Thailand from authorised destinations for ferrous and nonferrous metals could weaken recycled material markets rather than strengthen Europe’s recycling capacity. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. At the centre of BIR’s concern is...
August aluminium scrap imports recover M-o-M; multiple constraints suppress a sharp import rebound
According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's aluminium scrap imports in August 2026 stood at 141,800 tonnes, up 18.60 per cent M-o-M but down 17.67 per cent Y-o-Y, ending the "four consecutive declines" since April. Cumulative imports in January-August 2026 totalled approximately 1.243 million tonnes, down about 7.5 per cent Y-o-Y, with the cumulative decline widening further from 6.1 per cent in January-July. Overall, August imports showed a clear M-o-M recovery, but the Y-o-Y decline remained close to 20 per cent. From a monthly pace perspective, aluminium scrap imports in 2026 peaked at 197,300 tonnes in March, then pulled back for four consecutive months, hitting a year-to-date low of 119,600 tonnes in July. August rebounded 18.60 per cent M-o-M to 141,800...
India’s EU aluminium scrap access falters under new waste shipment rules
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...
Tightened compliance regulations push up costs, ADC12 prices drift higher
Aluminium scrap: This week, China's aluminium scrap market prices followed the decline before partially rebounding, with the centre pulling back alongside primary aluminium. As of September 17, SMM A00 aluminium prices closed at RMB 24,180 per tonne, down RMB 380 per tonne from RMB 24,560 per tonne last Thursday, while domestic aluminium scrap prices followed the decline by a relatively limited margin. In terms of price spreads, on September 17, the price difference between A00 aluminium and mixed aluminium extrusion scrap free of paint in Foshan stood at approximately RMB 2,468 per tonne, and the price difference between A00 aluminium and shredded aluminium tense scrap stood at approximately RMB 1,247 per tonne, with the aluminium tense scrap price spread narrowing further W-o-W. On the...
EU aluminium scrap levy hits trade talks as India and Brussels advance FTA plans
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...
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