[Weekly Review of Aluminum Scrap and Secondary Aluminum]Primary-Scrap Spread Narrows Sharply as ADC12-A00 Premium Hits a Record High: Has the Window Opened for Primary Aluminum to Replace Scrap?

Aluminum scrap is rapidly becoming a strategic resource as the global aluminum industry shifts toward low-carbon production. Europe, China, India and the Middle East are all strengthening efforts to secure recycled aluminum through increased imports, new recycling capacity and policy measures. Growing demand, tightening scrap supply, CBAM implementation and clean energy development are making recycled aluminum a key pillar of future competitiveness, transforming scrap from a sustainability issue into a strategic supply chain resource.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Constellium has commissioned Hertwich Engineering to supply a new reverberatory melting furnace at its recycling plant in Neuf-Brisach, France. The furnace will increase recycling capacity by 25,000 tpy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 10,000 tones of CO₂ annually, supporting Constellium’s decarbonization strategy and growing demand for low-carbon, recycled aluminum products in Europe.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Emirates Global Aluminium has inaugurated the Al Taweelah Aluminium Recycling Plant, the largest aluminum recycling facility in the UAE, with a production capacity of 185,000 tpy. The plant processes post-consumer and selected pre-consumer aluminum scrap into low-carbon billets and T-bars marketed under the RevivAL brand. The facility began producing recycled aluminum in February 2026, with full ramp-up expected within six months, subject to scrap availability. The project makes EGA the largest consumer of aluminum scrap in the UAE and increases the company's global recycling capacity to more than 400,000 tpy across the UAE, Europe, and the United States, with a further 200,000 tpy under development.

The UK Government is strengthening its Critical Minerals Strategy by investing in domestic extraction, processing, recycling and supply chain development to enhance resource security and economic resilience. The Aluminum Federation (ALFED) welcomed the move, noting that aluminum was officially designated as both a Critical Mineral and a Growth Mineral in 2024 under the UK's Vision 2035 framework. ALFED urged policymakers to place greater emphasis on aluminum recycling, remelting, sorting and supply security advanced processing to strengthen domestic supply chains and promote circular manufacturing. The federation highlighted that recycled aluminum can be reused indefinitely while requiring only around 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum, making it a key material for low-carbon manufacturing and long-ter.

Aluminum scrap is rapidly emerging as a strategic resource as the global industry accelerates its transition toward low-carbon production. Secondary aluminum requires only around 5% of the energy needed for primary production, making recycled metal increasingly attractive for both economic and environmental reasons. However, tightening scrap availability has intensified global competition. Europe is estimated to require an additional 1 million tones of aluminum scrap to meet its circular economy goals, while China has increased scrap imports and India is seeking to secure overseas supply amid concerns over potential EU export restrictions. At the same time, major investments in recycling capacity, together with carbon policies such as the EU's CBAM, are reinforcing the importance of recycled aluminum. Industry observers believe future competitiveness will increasingly depend on access to scrap resources, recycling efficiency and low-carbon supply chains.