Metal Recycling Global Market Report 2026

Metal recycling involves recovering and reprocessing used metal materials into new, usable raw materials while preserving their core properties. This practice helps reduce the demand for virgin metal extraction, conserves natural resources, lowers energy usage, and decreases environmental pollution linked to mining and metal production.

The main categories of metal recycling include new metal recycling and old metal recycling. New metal recycling focuses on recovering and processing metal scrap generated during the manufacturing of metal products. The key metal types involved are steel, aluminum, copper, and others, which serve various end users such as building and construction, packaging, automotive, industrial machinery, electronics and electrical equipment, and shipbuilding.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on metal imports and exports have influenced the metal recycling market by altering scrap trade flows and impacting pricing dynamics across steel, aluminum, and copper segments. Regions such as asia-pacific, europe, and north america have experienced supply chain shifts due to duties on primary metals and recycled scrap. These tariffs have increased short-term volatility for recyclers and end users in construction, automotive, and industrial machinery sectors. However, they have also supported domestic recycling industries by encouraging local scrap utilization, investment in processing facilities, and reduced dependence on imported virgin metals.

The metal recycling market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides metal recycling market statistics, including metal recycling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a metal recycling market share, detailed metal recycling market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the metal recycling industry. This metal recycling 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 metal recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $373.51 billion in 2025 to $401.49 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in industrial metal consumption, increasing availability of manufacturing scrap, rising awareness of environmental pollution, cost advantages of recycled metals over virgin metals, expansion of construction and automotive industries.

The metal recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $530.26 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter environmental regulations on mining and smelting, rising demand for sustainable raw materials, growth in electric vehicle and battery production, advancements in metal sorting and separation technologies, increasing investments in recycling infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include rising emphasis on closed-loop metal recycling, growing recovery of end-of-life vehicles and appliances, increasing demand for high-purity recycled metals, expansion of scrap collection and processing infrastructure, rising focus on energy-efficient recycling processes.

The growth in industrialization is expected to drive the expansion of the metal recycling market in the coming years. Industrialization refers to the shift of an economy from a predominantly agricultural base to one centered on manufacturing goods and services through the advancement of industries and mechanized production methods. The increase in industrialization is driven by the rising demand for efficient production systems that minimize manual labor, boost output, and streamline processes to meet growing consumer and infrastructure needs with fewer delays. Metal recycling contributes to industrialization by offering a cost-efficient and energy-saving source of raw materials, lowering dependence on virgin metal extraction, and ensuring a reliable supply of metals required for manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure projects. For example, in January 2025, Eurostat, the Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union, reported that in 2024, seasonally adjusted industrial production increased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.1% across the EU compared with October 2024. Consequently, the rise in industrialization is fueling the growth of the metal recycling market.

Key players in the metal recycling machinery market are adopting innovative solutions such as in-house metal refining systems to promote sustainable raw material production and lessen reliance on virgin resources. These refining systems recycle industrial metal waste-such as off-spec powders, molds, and offcuts-into high-quality raw materials that can be reused for metal powder manufacturing processes such as metal injection molding (MIM). For instance, in June 2025, Epson Atmix Corporation, a Japan-based metal powders manufacturer, completed a new metal recycling facility at its Kita-Inter Plant No. 2. This plant employs a closed-loop recycling system to process discarded metals from Epson's operations and the local community, converting them into refined materials for metal powder production. This initiative aligns with Epson's Environmental Vision 2050 by substituting blast furnace iron with recycled feedstock, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and conserving underground resources. The facility also strengthens the supply chain for metal powders used in compact, energy-efficient components and MIM products, supporting the industry's move toward a circular economy.

In September 2024, Emirates Global Aluminium P.J.S.C., a UAE-based aluminum producer, acquired an 80% stake in Spectro Alloys for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to broaden Emirates Global Aluminium's global presence in low-carbon aluminum production by enhancing its footprint in the United States and advancing its metal recycling operations. Spectro Alloys, based in the US, specializes in recycling post-consumer and post-industrial aluminum scrap into high-quality alloys.

Major companies operating in the metal recycling market report are Glencore plc, ArcelorMittal Societe Anonyme, Nucor Corporation, Tata Steel Limited, Aurubis AG, Zhejiang Jintian Copper Industrial Co. Ltd., Commercial Metals Company, Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., American Iron & Metal Company Inc., SA Metal Group Proprietary Limited, Pacific Steel & Recycling, Upstate Shredding, Triple M Metal LP, Multimetco Incorporated, Klein Recycling Incorporated, Amerigo Metal Recycling Limited Liability Company, Stena Metall Aktiebolag, European Metal Recycling Limited, Aqua Metals Incorporated, Integral Scrap & Recycling Incorporated.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the metal recycling market in 2025. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the metal recycling market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the metal recycling market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The metal recycling market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, curbside collection recycling, industrial collection and processing, and sheet or coil recycling. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

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.

Metal Recycling Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses metal recycling market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for metal recycling ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The metal recycling market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: New Metal Recycling; Old Metal Recycling
• 2) By Metal Type: Steel; Aluminum; Copper; Other Metal Types
• 3) By End User: Building And Construction; Packaging; Automotive; Industrial Machinery; Electronics And Electrical Equipment; Shipbuilding
• Subsegments:
• 1) By New Metal Recycling: Manufacturing Scrap; Industrial Processing Waste; Production Offcuts; Fabrication Leftovers; Mill Scrap
• 2) By Old Metal Recycling: End-Of-Life Vehicles; Used Consumer Appliances; Demolition Scrap; Discarded Electrical Equipment; Household Metal Waste
• Companies Mentioned: Glencore plc; ArcelorMittal Societe Anonyme; Nucor Corporation; Tata Steel Limited; Aurubis AG; Zhejiang Jintian Copper Industrial Co. Ltd.; Commercial Metals Company; Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.; American Iron & Metal Company Inc.; SA Metal Group Proprietary Limited; Pacific Steel & Recycling; Upstate Shredding; Triple M Metal LP; Multimetco Incorporated; Klein Recycling Incorporated; Amerigo Metal Recycling Limited Liability Company; Stena Metall Aktiebolag; European Metal Recycling Limited; Aqua Metals Incorporated; Integral Scrap & Recycling Incorporated.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.