Britain’s growing aluminium scrap exports are raising concerns about the long-term availability of a critical raw material for domestic industries. According to Make UK, aluminium scrap exports reached 624,314 tonnes in 2025, up 43% from 2016 levels, while shipments to India increased 94% to nearly 199,000 tonnes. Exports to the US surged 989% year-on-year to 23,560 tonnes after aluminium scrap was excluded from Section 232 tariff measures. Make UK estimates the UK could require up to 6 million tonnes of recyclable aluminium scrap to support total aluminium demand of 8 million tonnes by 2035. The organisation warned that continued scrap outflows could weaken domestic manufacturing, discourage investment and reduce supply chain resilience. It called for greater investment in scrap collection, sorting and processing infrastructure, improved recycling standards and measures to retain critical aluminium alloys within the UK’s circular economy.
Jun 19, 2026 14:35New analysis from Make UK suggests the UK’s aluminium scrap collection and sorting sector will need to grow by around 25% annually to meet future demand outlined in the country’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The report highlighted that aluminium scrap exports have risen 84% over the past decade, reducing domestic availability of a key raw material for industries including defence, clean energy, digital technologies and automotive manufacturing. In 2024-25, UK scrap aluminium exports to the US surged from 2,000 tonnes to 24,000 tonnes after Section 232 tariffs excluded aluminium scrap, while exports to India reached approximately 200,000 tonnes. Make UK estimates total UK aluminium demand could reach 8 million tonnes by 2035, requiring around 6 million tonnes of recyclable scrap. The organisation warned that continued export growth could weaken domestic manufacturing competitiveness, investment and supply chain resilience, and called for greater investment in scrap collection, sorting and processing capacity within the UK.
Jun 19, 2026 14:35US flat-rolled aluminium producer Aluminum Dynamics Inc. (ADI) has announced its withdrawal from the proposed aluminium recycling facility in Benson, Arizona. The project, planned on a 200-acre site, was designed to process aluminium scrap and supply recycled slab for the company’s downstream operations. ADI stated that differences with certain Arizona state officials created risks for the construction and future operation of the facility, leading to the decision to halt the project. The development had become one of the most debated industrial projects in the region, drawing concerns from local residents over environmental impacts while supporters highlighted potential job creation and circular economy benefits. The withdrawal effectively ends one of the largest proposed aluminium recycling investments in Arizona and removes a significant recycling project from the region’s development pipeline.
Jun 19, 2026 14:33Recycle Now and Every Can Counts estimate that around 2 billion beverage cans could be consumed in the UK during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Based on current aluminium scrap values, the cans would be worth approximately GBP 28.5 million (USD 38.5 million) if fully collected and recycled. The organisations noted that aluminium cans remain one of the most valuable and widely recycled packaging materials, with used beverage cans valued at around GBP 1,000 per tonne. Aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, allowing a used can to return to store shelves as a new product in as little as 60 days. According to the groups, recycling around 10 billion aluminium cans annually in the UK helps prevent an estimated 3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. The campaign aims to further promote aluminium recycling and circular economy practices during the World Cup.
Jun 19, 2026 14:32![[SMM Analysis] Aluminium Scrap Evolves Into Strategic Resource: Nations Roll Out Policies to Secure Domestic Supply](https://imgqn.smm.cn/production/admin/votes/imageslvDRc20240314085754.png)
As resource security and decarbonization become increasingly important, major economies are strengthening efforts to retain aluminum scrap. From the EU's review of export controls and the U.S. strategic asset proposal to Japan's circular economy initiatives and policies in the UAE and South Africa, these developments could reshape global scrap flows and affect secondary aluminum markets.
Jun 6, 2026 23:27The board of the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) has given tentative approval to add a new specification called “ginger” to its ISRI Specifications booklet. The proposed ginger grade refers to wrought aluminium materials such as sheet, extrusion, and plate. According to ReMA, the material must be dry and meet strict limits. It should not contain more than 1 per cent free magnesium, 1 per cent free zinc, and 0.5 per cent analytical iron. Non-metallic content must also remain below 1 per cent. The material must be free from heavily oxidised pieces, airbag canisters, and any sealed or pressurised items. Any variations are to be agreed upon directly between buyers and sellers.
Apr 27, 2026 09:56With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, have launched the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launced) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceNov 3, 2025 17:51With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, plans to launch the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceOct 27, 2025 17:51