Scrap Metal Recycling Global Market Report 2026

Scrap metal recycling is the process that involves gathering, processing, and repurposing discarded metal materials to create new metal products. This recycling method contributes to the conservation of natural resources, reduces energy usage, and helps limit environmental contamination by diverting metal waste away from landfills and decreasing reliance on the extraction of virgin metals.

Scrap metal recycling includes two primary metal categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum and copper, are resistant to corrosion and non-magnetic. These metals are highly sought after and extensively recycled in industries like electrical, plumbing, and aerospace. The prominent types of scrap include industrial scrap, post-consumer scrap, and construction and demolition scrap. Major recycling techniques encompass shearing, shredding, and baling. This process is applied across a wide range of industries, such as the automotive industry, shipbuilding industry, construction industry, mining industry, energy and power industry, railway and transportation, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, heavy equipment industry, and various other end-use sectors.

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 have influenced the scrap metal recycling market by affecting cross-border trade of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, leading to pricing volatility and shifts in global scrap flows. The impact is most evident in non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper and in regions including asia-pacific, north america, and europe that rely heavily on international scrap trade. Higher tariffs have increased processing and compliance costs for recyclers and downstream industries. However, tariffs have also encouraged domestic scrap utilization, strengthened local recycling ecosystems, and supported investments in regional processing capacity.

The scrap metal recycling market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides scrap metal recycling market statistics, including scrap metal recycling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a scrap metal recycling market share, detailed scrap metal recycling market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the scrap metal recycling industry. This scrap 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 scrap metal recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $361.36 billion in 2025 to $382.66 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to industrialization and urban development, availability of industrial and post-consumer scrap, cost benefits of recycled metals, growth of automotive and construction industries, increasing awareness of metal reuse.

The scrap metal recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $475.34 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stringent environmental regulations on mining, rising demand for aluminum and copper, growth in renewable energy infrastructure, increasing investments in recycling facilities, volatility in virgin metal prices. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of automated sorting systems, expansion of advanced shredding and baling technologies, growth in high-value non-ferrous metal recycling, enhanced ferrous metal recovery techniques, integration of traceability and compliance solutions.

The rising demand for infrastructure development is expected to drive the scrap metal recycling market's expansion in the future. Infrastructure development involves constructing and enhancing essential facilities and systems such as transport, utilities, and communications to foster economic progress and elevate living standards. As urban populations increase, the demand for residential areas, roads, energy systems, and other essential services grows accordingly. Scrap metal recycling contributes to these developments by offering an environmentally friendly and economical alternative to new metal materials. This supports reduced reliance on mining, cuts production expenses, and aligns with circular economy models vital for projects like highways, bridges, trains, and city infrastructure. For instance, in July 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 240,813 dwellings were under construction in the March quarter of 2023, a rise from 240,065 in 2022. Among them, new houses numbered 103,778, compared to 101,240 in 2022. Hence, increasing infrastructure development is propelling the growth of the scrap metal recycling market.

Companies active in the scrap metal recycling market are concentrating on launching new screening machines to optimize metal sorting processes, boost recovery rates, and minimize processing costs and time. These machines use mechanical means to differentiate materials by size using various screen sizes or mesh surfaces. In the context of scrap metal recycling, these machines are effective in separating metal pieces from other debris, which enhances metal purity and accelerates the entire recycling workflow. For example, in October 2024, MDS International Ltd., an Irish manufacturing firm, introduced the SCRAPMASTER 400 - a mobile screening solution built specifically for the scrap metal recycling industry. The machine includes high-durability parts like a wear-resistant push feeder, a solid drum frame with screen size options between 25 mm and 150 mm, and an apron-style conveyor for oversized items. It also features a robust fines belt and an auto-reverse drum mechanism to prevent clogging and ensure smooth operations. This development addresses reliability concerns in conventional equipment and significantly improves efficiency in sorting and recovery processes.

In August 2023, Sims Limited, an Australia-based company providing metal recycling services such as purchasing, processing, and selling recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals worldwide, acquired Baltimore Scrap Corp for $177 million, along with working capital and other adjustments. Through this acquisition, Sims Metal sought to strengthen its footprint in the North American metal recycling market by incorporating strategically positioned facilities and logistics infrastructure to meet rising domestic demand and expand its sales channels. Baltimore Scrap Corp is a US-based metal recycling operator with 17 facilities across five states, offering shredding services and extensive rail, barge, and port infrastructure for the processing and distribution of scrap metal.

Major companies operating in the scrap metal recycling market report are ArcelorMittal S.A., Nucor Corporation, Tata Steel Limited, Gerdau S.A., Commercial Metals Company, Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., Radius Recycling Inc., AIM Recycling Limited, SA Recycling LLC, European Metal Recycling Limited, Kuusakoski Group Oy, Sims Metal Management Limited, Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling LLC, Ferrous Processing & Trading Co. Inc., Nicrometal S.A., Hindalco Industries Limited, Metallon Recycling Pte Ltd., TKC Metal Recycling Inc., Harsco Corporation

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the scrap metal recycling market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the scrap 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 scrap metal recycling market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The scrap metal recycling market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as collection and transportation, sorting and classification, processing and shredding, refining and purification, resale and distribution, and consultation on environmental compliance. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The scrap metal recycling market also includes sales of recycled steel, recycled iron, recycled aluminum, recycled copper, recycled brass, recycled zinc, recycled lead, and recycled nickel. 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.

Scrap 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 scrap 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for scrap 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 scrap 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 Metal Type: Ferrous Metals; Non-Ferrous Metals
• 2) By Scrap Type: Industrial Scrap; Post-Consumer Scrap; Construction And Demolition Scrap
• 3) By Recycling Type: Shearing; Shredding; Baling
• 4) By End-Use Vertical: Automotive Industry; Shipbuilding Industry; Construction Industry; Mining Industry; Energy And Power Industry; Railway And Transportation; Aerospace And Defense; Oil And Gas; Heavy Equipment Industry; Other End-Use Verticals
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Ferrous Metals: Steel; Cast Iron; Wrought Iron; Carbon Steel; Alloy Steel
• 2) By Non-Ferrous Metals: Aluminum; Copper; Lead; Zinc; Nickel; Tin; Brass; Bronze; Precious Metals
• Companies Mentioned: ArcelorMittal S.A.; Nucor Corporation; Tata Steel Limited; Gerdau S.A.; Commercial Metals Company; Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.; Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc.; Radius Recycling Inc.; AIM Recycling Limited; SA Recycling LLC; European Metal Recycling Limited; Kuusakoski Group Oy; Sims Metal Management Limited; Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling LLC; Ferrous Processing & Trading Co. Inc.; Nicrometal S.A.; Hindalco Industries Limited; Metallon Recycling Pte Ltd.; TKC Metal Recycling Inc.; Harsco Corporation
• 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.
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