According to a study conducted by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, the world scrap metal production forecast has been revised, and total volumes are expected to reach 873 million tons by 2050, local sources said.
World scrap metal production forecast revised, growth trend maintained
According to a JISF study, global scrap metal production is forecast to reach 873 million tons by 2050, which means a downward revision from the previous edition. Despite this revision, scrap generation is expected to increase significantly in the long term. Compared to 2020 levels, global scrap production is projected to increase 36 percent, or 232 million tons, indicating a sustained global upward trend.
The adjustment reflects:
- Lower expected steel demand growth in developed regions
- Changes in steel stockpiling patterns
- Slower Scrap Production Growth in China
Regional Differences Widening
The updated forecast highlights increasingly divergent regional scrap production dynamics.
- In developing countries (excluding China), scrap metal collections are expected to reach 370 million tons by 2050, revised up 16 million tons from the previous estimate.
- For China the forecast was reduced by 26 million tons to 311 million tons.
- For developed economies, the forecast was reduced by 20 million tons to 193
