Recycled steel is increasingly being recognized as a strategic resource rather than simply a secondary raw material, according to Shane Mellor, president of the Bureau of International Recycling's (BIR) Iron and Steel Division. Speaking at the division's latest meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, Mellor said the global steel industry is entering a period in which recycled steel will play a central role in both decarbonization and long-term competitiveness.
The first half of 2026, Mellor said, highlighted the vulnerability of global ferrous markets to geopolitical instability, power outages, freight volatility, protectionist policies and changing trade flows. These factors have significantly impacted steel trade patterns and market sentiment around the world.
Despite these challenges, Mellor stressed that recycled steel is increasingly seen as a key component in producing true green steel. He said processors will transform from suppliers of raw materials to strategic partners supporting the transformation of the steel industry. “The steel industry of the future will not only depend on recycled steel, but will increasingly be defined by it,” Mellor said.
Infrastructure Demand Trends Create New Opportunities
In a session titled “Recycled Steel: A Strategic Driver for the 2050 Steel Industry?” Keynote speaker and applied futurist Tom Cheesewright looked at several long-term trends that are expected to impact steel markets in the near future. decades.
Cheesewright noted that demand for infrastructure is increasingly dependent on demographic changes. Countries with aging or declining populations are focused on replacing and upgrading existing infrastructure, while rapidly growing economies continue to require large-scale new construction projects. India has been highlighted as a particularly important market due to its ambitious infrastructure plans. The country is looking to expand infrastructure while avoiding reliance on outdated technology, creating opportunities for modern steel production and processing solutions, Cheesewright said.
The auto sector could produce less scrap in the future
The auto industry is also undergoing structural changes that
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