EU proposed metal scrap export curbs spark global recycling concerns

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned that proposed European Union restrictions on metal scrap exports could disrupt global recycling markets. Under a draft delegated act for the EU Waste Shipment Regulation, a list of non-OECD countries authorized to receive certain non-hazardous waste is being established. The current draft excludes major Asian destinations, such as India, Malaysia, and Thailand, from receiving ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste for recovery.

BIR cautions that these restrictions may not create sufficient European demand or processing capacity to absorb the affected volumes. Instead, the move could depress recycled material prices, weaken collection incentives, and undermine necessary investments in supply chains. For materials like aluminium, European processing capabilities do not always match the specific grades generated within the bloc.

In India, metal recyclers have expressed concern that these measures could increase procurement costs and impact the availability of raw materials for domestic metal production. Industry participants are urging the Indian government to engage with European authorities to prevent disproportionate barriers for compliant facilities and to protect downstream manufacturers dependent on recycled metal inputs.