Scrap metal recycling and environmental protection - report

“Reducing carbon emissions is a prerequisite for protecting the climate, and recycling does just that,” celebrated at World Environment Day 2015 in Genoa, Italy. The conference participants raised the question: "Why are scrap metal recycling operators not rewarded for their activities in the context of the introduction of CO2 certificates?" Emissions trading rules do not rule out that those who can do it the cheapest way can reduce emissions, that is, they reduce pollution at the lowest cost to society.

It was recognized that scrap metal operators have done the best in this area, collecting and converting waste into reusable raw materials, not only reducing carbon emissions, but also saving the consumption of new raw materials and energy. In addition, the volume of waste to be buried or disposed of is reduced. Waste treatment must be supported by national and local environmental regulations, taking into account the impact on the company's operating costs. Recycling companies must be rewarded with CO2 certificates to partially offset all of these costs. This is a very important target for the future of the scrap metal recycling industry around the world, which has been living with very low margins for a long time.

In Italy, prices for metal products remain unchanged on the domestic market. Shipments of scrap metal in sufficient quantities to cover the needs of the factories against the backdrop of well-maintained stocks of incoming metallurgical raw materials in ports, including scrap metal, pig iron and HBI. In addition, a restart of Stefana S.p.A production is expected in the near future.

After the reloading of blooms and billets at Lucchini Piombino, supplies to the domestic market have grown significantly. In addition, due to strong competition with imports from China and offers from Iran, flat steel prices are under negative pressure. However, the profiles and beams have earned small increases. Also, products for the automotive industry and mechanical applications increased slightly in price. At the same time, the demand for billets and rods remains low.