EU measure to stop aluminium scrap ‘leakage’ worries recyclers

There is broad and growing concern among recyclers regarding an expected trade ban on aluminium scrap leaving the EU.

While recycling industry experts continue to share their dissatisfaction on social media, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has expressed concern regarding the recent  announcement from European Commission executive vice president for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, of preparatory work on a new trade measure targeting recycled aluminium exports from the European Union, with a formal proposal expected in spring 2026.

No evidence 

The measure aims to address what the Commission calls ‘the issue of aluminium scrap leakage’ and is meant to secure access for European industry to this ‘strategically important material at competitive prices’.

However, data from the Commission’s own monitoring mechanism on imports and exports of recycled materials shows no evidence of “scrap leakage”, according to BIR. ‘Available figures do not support this narrative, which may create a misleading basis for future policy decisions.’

Vital contributor

The world recycling organisation welcomes the clear recognition of recycled aluminium as a strategic material essential to Europe’s circular economy and decarbonisation goals. ‘At the same time, we stress that the global recycling industry is a vital contributor to the availability of this key raw material, and that its functioning relies on open, predictable and fair access to international markets.’

BIR strongly recommends that any new trade measure should be:

•             evidence-based, reflecting actual market conditions rather than assumptions

•             proportionate, avoiding unintended consequences for downstream users and recycling operators

•             balanced, taking into account the interests of all actors in the value chain

•             globally coherent, ensuring that the EU does not undermine international recycling flows that depend on Europe’s surplus of high-quality recycled materials

BIR calls on the European Commission to uphold its stated commitment to ‘take into account the interests of all actors as this initiative unfolds’, while it continues to ‘actively advocate on behalf of the recycling industry.’