BIR rejects call for EU scrap export limits

The Bureau of international Recycling has added its voice to those concerned at calls from primary aluminium and steel producers for restrictions on the export or recycled metals from the European Union.

BIR says such scrap is a valuable resource in global decarbonisation efforts and export restrictions would ‘create an unprecedented shock to the global recycling industry’.

A strongly worded letter has been sent to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and other senior officials closely concerned the EU’s Green Deal and the circular economy.

It comes only days after similar sentiments from EuRIC, the umbrella organisation for recycling organisations. It issued a statement warning that ‘scrap exports have been keeping recycling businesses alive, serving as a counterbalance to the extremely low EU demand for recycled materials’.

Read a previous story on the matter here.

Unwillingness

BIR’s letter, which is signed by director general Arnaud Brunet and president Susie Burrows, insists its members are at the ‘front line of the circular economy’, processing millions of tonnes of materials annually and delivering substantial environmental benefits through their daily operations.

‘Current calls for protectionism suggest a fundamental unwillingness by certain European companies to pay fair market prices for recycled steel and aluminium,’ the organisation argues. ‘While these materials are being purchased abroad, this is not due to any shortage, as European recyclers consistently demonstrate their ability to meet domestic demand.’

BIR also rejects any suggestion of ‘scrap leakage’ in Europe. It says the European recycling industry successfully processes over 100 million tonnes of steel annually, with 80% utilised domestically by European steelmakers.

Shock impact

‘The remaining exports serve markets that have invested heavily in low carbon technology for secondary production of steel and aluminium. This is not a market failure but rather an efficient allocation of resources that supports global decarbonisation efforts.

‘We must emphasise that these materials are not mere “scrap” but valuable recycled steel and recycled aluminium that play a crucial role in global decarbonisation efforts.’ 

The letter continues: ‘The proposed export restrictions in Europe, a continent with a substantial surplus of recycled steel and aluminium, would create an unprecedented shock to the global recycling industry.’