Recycled Metal Market Report 2025

The recycled metal market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $71.97 billion in 2024 to $75.47 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to material specifications, evolving consumer preferences, market acceptance, infrastructure development, scrap availability, demand from end-use industries.

The recycled metal market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $99.13 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to green manufacturing practices, supply chain transparency, investments in waste management, resource scarcity concerns, corporate sustainability commitments. Major trends in the forecast period include circular economy promotion, government regulations, resource scarcity concerns, green building practices, economic viability.

The increasing demand in the construction sector is anticipated to drive growth in the recycled metal market. This sector encompasses the manufacturing and commerce associated with building, maintaining, and repairing structures, as well as drilling and mineral exploration. Construction activities have been growing rapidly due to industrialization and urbanization, leading to a significant demand for recycled metals, which are both cost-effective and sustainable. For example, in November 2023, the Office for National Statistics, a UK-based government department, reported an increase of £18.16 billion ($19.96 million) in new construction activities in 2022. This included a 16.8% rise in private sector projects and a 13.1% increase in public sector projects. Therefore, the surge in construction activities is expected to propel the recycled metal market.

The expanding utilization of steel across various end-user industries is poised to propel the growth of the recycled metal market. Steel, a crucial iron alloy widely used in industries, benefits significantly from recycled metals, particularly scrap steel, fostering environmentally conscious and sustainable manufacturing practices. Notably, the American Iron and Steel Institute's annual statistical report in June 2023 revealed an 11 percent increase in finished steel imports in 2022, constituting 24% of apparent steel consumption, thereby bolstering the demand for recycled metals.

Strategic partnerships and collaborations are significantly shaping the recycled metals market landscape. Major players within this sector are actively engaging in partnerships to leverage resources and expand their market reach. For instance, in July 2022, Novelis Inc. partnered with Sortera Alloys Inc., aiming to augment the proportion of recycled material in automotive alloys, reducing the carbon footprint. Similarly, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. collaborated with Cero - Mahindra MSTC Recycling Pvt. Ltd. (MMRPL) in February 2022, facilitating the replacement of outdated fleets with state-of-the-art BSVI BharatBenz vehicles, aligning with high safety, quality, and environmental standards.

Technological advancements remain a focal point for major companies operating in the recycled metal market. Innovations such as X-ray transmission (XRT) technology, adept at separating aluminum from heavy metals in a single process, are gaining prominence. For instance, Tomra's introduction of X-TRACT for aluminum recycling in May 2022 stands as a groundbreaking advancement. The upgraded X-TRACT boasts improved capabilities and machine intelligence, revolutionizing high-throughput sorting of complex mixed metal streams, producing high-purity aluminum segments essential for the industrial transition toward a low-carbon future. The X-TRACT's Dual Processing Technology enhances processing capacity per meter width and offers unparalleled innovations and high-speed sorting capabilities, catering to the evolving demands of the industry.

In February 2022, ArcelorMittal SA, a prominent steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in Luxembourg, completed the acquisition of John Lawrie Metals Ltd., a UK-based metal recycling company. The financial details of the acquisition remained undisclosed. This strategic move aimed to augment ArcelorMittal's utilization of scrap steel, aligning with their commitment to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated during the steelmaking process. John Lawrie Metals Ltd. specializes in recycling and exporting processed scrap metal, and this acquisition fortified ArcelorMittal's efforts in advancing sustainable practices within the steel industry.

Major companies operating in the recycled metal market are ArcelorMittal S.A., Nucor Corporation, Commercial Metals Company, Sims Metal Management Limited, Aurubis AG, Novelis Inc., ELG Haniel Group, Kuusakoski Group Oy, Tata Steel Ltd., Steel Dynamics Inc., Norsk Hydro ASA, GFG Alliances, China Baowu Group, HKS Scrap Metals B.V., AMG Resources Corporation, European Metal Recycling, Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., OmniSource Corporation, Alter Trading Corporation, Ferrous Processing & Trading Co., Metal Management Inc., Tube City IMS LLC, SA Recycling LLC, Upstate Shredding LLC, PSC Metals Inc., American Iron & Metal Company, Southern Recycling LLC, Gerdau S.A., Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., Liberty Steel Group, Sims Limited.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the recycled metal market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the recycled metal market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the recycled metal market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Recycled metal undergoes a process where used or scrap metal is melted down to form new metal, a practice commonly referred to as metal recycling. This process involves reclaiming and processing scrap metal sourced from buildings or products, repurposing it as raw material to craft new items.

The primary varieties of recycled metal encompass steel, aluminum, copper, and other forms of ferrous, non-ferrous, and precious metals. Steel finds its application in diverse areas such as beams, ductwork, roofing, plumbing, and windows. It's characterized as an iron-carbon alloy with a composition typically featuring less than 2% carbon, 1% manganese, and trace elements of silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and oxygen. Industries like construction, transportation, automotive, industrial machinery, electronics, defense, packaging, military, consumer goods, and various other end-users heavily rely on recycled metals for their operations and product development.

The recycled metal market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides recycled metal market statistics, including recycled metal industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a recycled metal market share, detailed recycled metal market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recycled metal industry. This recycled metal market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The recycled metal market consists of sales of recycled brass, lead, bronze, and others. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.