On 23 September, the European Commission is expected to adopt a legislative proposal on the availability of aluminium scrap in the EU, with the aim of reducing dependencies in the supply chain for this material and supporting the competitiveness of European industry.

Aluminium scrap is an essential raw material for the production of recycled aluminium. Its use helps reduce energy consumption and emissions associated with industrial production and is particularly relevant to sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, construction, packaging and aerospace.

The Commission’s concerns relate primarily to the increase in exports and prices. In 2024, European exports of aluminium scrap reached 1.2 million tonnes, 66% more than in 2014 and 50% more than in 2019. According to the Commission, prices have risen by almost 80% since 2019, putting pressure on the margins of European producers that use this material as an input.

Brussels is therefore assessing trade measures aimed at ensuring greater availability of aluminium scrap within the EU. The options under discussion include instruments that could make exports to third countries less attractive or limit certain export volumes, with a view to retaining more material for European industry.

The issue is particularly sensitive because not all aluminium scrap has the same value or end use. Some waste streams are cleaner and easier to reuse, such as certain industrial offcuts, while others consist of mixed or contaminated materials originating, for example, from end-of-life vehicles, electrical equipment, demolition works or household waste. A measure designed to secure supply could therefore have different effects on producers, recyclers and companies involved in collecting and processing these materials.

For the European aluminium value chain, the proposal could have a direct impact on the availability of recycled raw materials, production costs and incentives to invest in recycling. The EU is seeking to strike a balance between security of supply, industrial decarbonisation and the economic viability of recycling.