BIR assesses the use of non-ferrous scrap

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has published a report on the recycling of non-ferrous scrap in various countries of the world.

Construction work in conjunction with the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the World Expo 2020 in Dubai has boosted the supply of non-ferrous scrap to the Gulf region. Meanwhile, China's scrap copper imports rose nearly 40 percent in a month to over 400,000 tonnes in March this year, but the country's copper demand grew by only 0.7 percent in the first quarter of this year. For the full year 2015, growth in the country is estimated at around 4 percent.

The rise in import prices for the supply of non-ferrous scrap from the US and Europe was sharp for the supply of ADC12 aluminum alloy to Japan and China and amounted to almost $ 30-40 per ton in April this year. However, the price of the alloy remained unchanged in the Japanese domestic market. On the other hand, aluminum premiums fell more than 40 percent in the US Midwest region. UBC and other alloy prices also fell during this period.

BIR believes that the Russian government is likely to abandon plans to implement restrictions on the export of scrap metal. The non-ferrous scrap sector in Italy remains relatively quiet, represented in the form of lead and zinc. Non-ferrous scrap demand remains low in France. Primary and secondary aluminum has witnessed growing demand in Germany.

The import process of non-ferrous scrap metal to India has been affected by uncertainty in new guidelines for pre-shipment inspection of scrap metal at loading ports. India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced some relief from previously announced regulations on the import of scrap metal into the country. At the request of the DGFT, pre-shipment inspection agencies must re-certify. In addition, they must provide photographs and videos covering the inspection process carried out in the containers.
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Demand for some grades of scrap metal had all but disappeared in Mexico, with prices reaching very low levels. In South Africa, by contrast, a shortage of certain types of scrap has led to higher prices. Trading volumes remained stable in Australia and New Zealand.