Page 5 from: October 2007
In August, Turkey was forced to increase its deliv-
ered scrap prices by some US$ 10-20 per tonne
because exporters, who had seen shipping freight
rates rise to levels more than 50% above those wit-
nessed at the start of the year, simply refused to sell
at the prices on offer. For the remainder of the year, a
range of positive and negative factors are expected
to impact on the destiny of scrap prices. In effect,
scrap prices may have been pushed too low and may
rebound in the fourth quarter, although the outlook
for September is not rosy.
Developed countries – and particularly the USA –
have been quick to criticise the Chinese for exporting
tainted and low-quality products. But designating
the legal and moral high ground is not so straight-
forward given that many of those same developed
countries, including the USA, are guilty of illegal
scrap shipments to China.
Belgium and the Netherlands have a long history of
shipbreaking. Van Heyghen Recycling of Ghent,
Belgium, is the largest shipbreaker in Continental
Europe, scrapping more than 107 vessels in the last
three years alone. And the size and sophistication of
its operations means that the company can handle
the trickiest of shipbreaking projects. The French air-
craft carrier, the ‘Clemenceau’, could be the next can-
didate for scrapping at Van Heyghen Recycling.
In June, I took a three-week trip to
South Africa where a holiday was
combined with visits to a number of
metal recycling companies. I was able
to enjoy great food and wines, meet
friendly people, and view some stunning
landscapes and wildlife. But above all,
I was given a very valuable insight into the
country’s recycling culture. South Africa’s
metals recycling business is performing
very well. There are an estimated 800 scrap-
related companies. Statistics suggest that
around 70 000 to 80 000 tonnes of ferrous
scrap is available each month. Most of the
metals recyclers subscribe to a policy of serving
their domestic customers first while exporting
their surplus, mainly to Asia and Europe.
In this issue
Viewpoint 3
Events Calendar 6
News 8
Product News 19
Magazine Round Up 22
In the next issue 58
Markets Analysis
Ferrous scrap 40
Stainless steel scrap 46
Non-fer rous scrap 48
Recovered paper 52
Textiles 55
Scrap exports to China – a well-developed blind spot 32
26
Snapshot of
metals recycling
in South Africa
I N T H I S I S S U E
Equipment manufacturer Terex Fuchs has marked
50 years of production at its manufacturing base
in Bad Schönborn, Germany. Employing more than
340 people, the plant manufactures Terex Fuchs
material handling machines for use in the recycling
and timber harvesting industries, as well as in ports.
Terex recently hosted an ‘open-house’ event to cele-
brate the golden anniversary which attracted more
than 4000 visitors.
Terex Fuchs celebrates 50th anniversary 35
Shipbreaking thrives again in Belgium 36
Recycling remains one of the growth segments of the
world paper industry, according to 2006 statistics
released by major paper recycling associations. Asia
is grabbing most of the headlines, with China’s recov-
ered paper imports leaping more than 500% over
the last decade – from 3.4 million tonnes in 1996 to
21.6 million tonnes in 2006 – with around 75% coming
from the USA, Japan and the UK.
Markets captivated by booming Asian paper demand 38
Ferrous scrap – freight rates spoil the price party 40
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