Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market – Analysis and Forecast (2026-2035)

Industry Overview

In 2025, the global Scrap Metal Recycling Market was priced at USD 989.8 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9 per cent expected from 2026 to 2035. The key factor driving the market growth is the increasing demand for metals, which is coupled with a growing focus on natural resource conservation and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Metal recycling helps producers to acquire raw materials for finished goods production without damaging their properties. Furthermore, it is less costly than primary metal processing. Also, the environmental imperative plays an important role in propelling industry development.

Increasing concerns about the rapid depletion of natural resources have prompted policymakers in a number of countries to implement favourable regulations for the metal recycling industry, which is propelling the metal recycling market even further.

Scrap Metal Recycling Market Segmentation

Product Outlook 

•    Iron
•    Aluminum
•    Copper
•    Others

The ferrous segment is expected to develop at a faster pace than the rest of the market during the forecast period. Scrap iron and steel are among the most commonly recycled ferrous metals on the planet. This scrap comes from goods that have reached the end of their useful lives as well as scrap produced during manufacturing processes. The use of scrap in steel processing has become a common practice in the industry. According to the Bureau of International Recycling, scrap steel accounts for 40% of the global steel supply.

Application Outlook 

•    Building and Construction
•    Automotive
•    Consumer Goods
•    Industrial Goods

The metal recycling market's fastest-growing segment in the building and construction industry. The use of recycled metals in the building and construction sector has been promoted by the need to reduce the environmental effects of mining metals. The majority of recycled metals used in this industry come from demolition waste, which is one of the most common sources of metal waste, especially in the United States.

Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Report Coverage

Regional Outlook

•    North America
•    Europe
•   Asia Pacific
•    Central & South America
•    Middle East & Africa

Due to Asia- Pacific Region’s rising economic growth, it is the fastest-growing market for metal recycling. The rapidly growing consumer markets of China, India, and other Asia Pacific countries having a total population of more than four billion people, according to the Population Reference Bureau (as of 2018) indicate a bright future for the metal recycling market.

Scrap Metal Recycling Market Trends

The demand for metal recycling is motivated by a high rate of obsolescence, increased energy savings with lower greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating industrialization and urbanisation in developed countries, and increased customer awareness. Over the next two decades, the increase in population worldwide is projected to be a significant driver for global consumer durables consumption and the building and construction industry, resulting in the growth of the metal recycling market. Increased household incomes and the increasing middle-class population are two other factors that will support this sector.

Scrap Metal Recycling Market Drivers

Market growth is expected to be bolstered by a growing emphasis on conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Governments also created favourable regulations for the metal recycling industry in response to increasing concerns about natural resource depletion.

Metal recycling industry developments that have prospered in various industries such as machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding, packaging, consumer goods, construction, automotive, and others that have notable use of metals in different applications are contributing to the metal recycling market share. Metal recycling aids businesses in conserving electricity and lowering their carbon footprint. A tonne of recycled steel saves 1,131 kilogrammes of iron ore, 633 kilogrammes of coal, and 54 kilogrammes of limestone, reducing the amount of energy needed to mine these products. Recycling one pound of steel results in 70% energy savings, while recycling aluminium results in 95% energy savings.

Scrap Metal Recycling Market Opportunity

Metal recovery from slag residue is one of the metal recycling market's opportunities. Steelmakers value slag as a valuable resource. In their slag and metal–slag mix, most ferrous metal and stainless-steel plants lose a significant amount of metal. Metal content can range from 3% to 15% depending on the smelting process and the age of the slag dump.

Metal is also used widely in the automotive industry. Steel is used to produce engine parts and a range of other car parts, such as hoods, mufflers, simple vehicle frames for doors, and fuel tanks. According to the World Steel Association, iron and steel account for about 70% of an automobile's weight. This is a lucrative opportunity for the scrap metal industry to develop.

Scrap Metal Recycling Market Challenges

The major challenges are the growing complexity of goods, which makes recycling and supply chain management difficult. The numerous parties involved in the metal recycling supply chains, such as municipalities and private companies, are continually under pressure to reduce the costs incurred in this process. Companies are now facing significant challenges in lowering these prices, simplifying the supply chain process, and increasing performance.

COVID-19 Impact on the Scrap Metal Recycling Market

Metal scrap was being stifled by restricted movement through cities, forcing scrap dealers to shut down their operations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such actions reduced activity in the scrap metal shredder industry, reducing revenue growth. Further, the pandemic in 2020 caused a supply chain disruption, which resulted in a significant decline in metal production and hence there was a large contraction in demand owing to the slowdown of prominent end-use industries, such as construction and automotive. However, as manufacturing activities are permitted to proceed, a sharp turnaround is expected in 2021.

Key Players

•    ArcelorMittal
•    Nucor Corporation
•    Commercial Metals Company
•    Sims Metal Management Limited  
•    Aurubis AG 
•    Alter Trading Inc.
•    American Iron & Metal
•    European Metal Recycling Ltd.
•    Gerdau SA
•    Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc.
•    Novelis
•    Tata Steel
•    GFG Alliance
•    Norsk Hydro ASA

Recent Developments

•    ArcelorMittal invested in a new sustainability programme in Europe in November 2019, with the goal of achieving Responsible Steel site certification for all of its ArcelorMittal Europe - Flat Products locations.

•    In May 2019, Nucor Corporation announced a capital investment at its bar mill in Darlington, South Carolina, that will add vacuum degassing to its engineered bar capabilities. With this capability, the mill will be able to manufacture engineered bar products that meet some of the industry's most rigorous quality requirements

•    Aurubis AG purchased the Belgian-Spanish Metallo Group in May 2019 in order to continue implementing its multi-metal and recycling strategy. The acquisition strengthens the company's multi-metal portfolio, especially in the main metals copper, nickel, tin, zinc, and lead, thanks to its attractive growth potential.

The Scrap Metal Recycling Market report offers a comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with an estimation for the forecast period 2026–2035.

Segments Covered in the Report

• Product Outlook
  • Iron
  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Others
• Application Outlook
  • Building and Construction
  • Automotive
  • Consumer Goods
  • Industrial Goods

Region Covered in the Report

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World
  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • South America

Source: VynZ Research

Source: VynZ Research

1.    Research Overview 

        1.1.    The Report Offers
        1.2.    Market Coverage
                1.2.1.    By Application
                1.2.2.    By Type
                1.2.3.    By Application Outlook
        1.3.    Research Phases
        1.4.    Limitations
        1.5.    Research Methodology
                1.5.1.    Data Sources
                        1.5.1.1.    Primary Research
                        1.5.1.2.    Secondary Research
                1.5.2.    Methodology
                        1.5.2.1.    Data Exploration
                        1.5.2.2.    Forecast Parameters
                        1.5.2.3.    Data Validation
                        1.5.2.4.    Assumptions
                1.5.3.    Study Period & Data Reporting Unit

2.    Executive Summary

3.    Industry Overview

        3.1.    Industry Dynamics
                3.1.1.    Market Growth Drivers
                3.1.2.    Market Restraints
                3.1.3.    Key Market Trends
                3.1.4.    Major Opportunities
        3.2.    Industry Ecosystem
                3.2.1.    Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
                3.2.2.    Recent Development Analysis
                3.2.3.    Value Chain Analysis
        3.3.    Competitive Insight
                3.3.1.    Competitive Position of Industry Players
                3.3.2.    Market Attractive Analysis

4.    Global Market Estimate and Forecast

        4.1.    Global Market Overview
        4.2.    Global Market Estimate and Forecast to 2030

5.    Market Segmentation Estimate and Forecast

        5.1.    By Product Outlook
                5.1.1.    Iron
                        5.1.1.1.    Market Definition
                        5.1.1.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.1.2.    Aluminium
                        5.1.2.1.    Market Definition
                        5.1.2.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.1.3.    Copper
                        5.1.3.1.    Market Definition
                        5.1.3.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.1.4.    Others
                        5.1.4.1.    Market Definition
                        5.1.4.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

        5.2.    By Application Outlook
                5.2.1.    Building and Construction
                        5.2.1.1.    Market Definition
                        5.2.1.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.2.2.    Automotive
                        5.2.2.1.    Market Definition
                        5.2.2.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.2.3.    Consumer Goods
                        5.2.3.1.    Market Definition
                        5.2.3.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.2.4.   Industrial Goods
                        5.2.4.1.    Market Definition
                        5.2.4.2.    Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

6.    North America Market Estimate and Forecast

        6.1.    By Product Outlook 
        6.2.    By Application Outlook
        6.3.    By Country
                6.3.1.    U.S. Market Estimate and Forecast
                6.3.2.    Canada Market Estimate and Forecast
                6.3.3.    Mexico Market Estimate and Forecast

7.    Europe Market Estimate and Forecast

        7.1.    By Product Outlook 
        7.2.    By Application Outlook
        7.3.    By Country
                7.3.1.    Germany Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.2.    France Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.3.    U.K. Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.4.    Italy Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.5.    Spain Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.6.    Russia Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.3.7.    Rest of Europe Market Estimate and Forecast

8.    Asia-Pacific Market Estimate and Forecast

        8.1.    By Product Outlook
        8.2.    By Application Outlook
        8.3.    By Country 
                8.3.1.    China Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.3.2.    Japan Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.3.3.    India Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.3.4.    South Korea Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.3.5.    Rest of Asia-Pacific Market Estimate and Forecast

9.    Rest of the World (RoW) Market Estimate and Forecast

        9.1.    By Product Outlook
        9.2.    By Application Outlook
        9.3.    By Country
                9.3.1.    Brazil Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.3.2.    Saudi Arabia Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.3.3.    South Africa Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.3.4.    U.A.E. Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.3.5.    Other Countries Market Estimate and Forecast

10.    Company Profiles

        10.1.    ArcelorMittal
                10.1.1.    Snapshot
                10.1.2.    Overview
                10.1.3.    Offerings
                10.1.4.    Financial Insight
                10.1.5.    Recent Developments
        10.2.    Nucor Corporation
                10.2.1.    Snapshot
                10.2.2.    Overview
                10.2.3.    Offerings
                10.2.4.    Financial Insight
                10.2.5.    Recent Developments
        10.3.    Commercial Metals Company
                10.3.1.    Snapshot
                10.3.2.    Overview
                10.3.3.    Offerings
                10.3.4.    Financial Insight
                10.3.5.    Recent Developments
        10.4.    Sims Metal Management Limited  
                10.4.1.    Snapshot
                10.4.2.    Overview
                10.4.3.    Offerings
                10.4.4.    Financial Insight
                10.4.5.    Recent Developments
        10.5.    Aurubis AG 
                10.5.1.    Snapshot
                10.5.2.    Overview
                10.5.3.    Offerings
                10.5.4.    Financial Insight
                10.5.5.    Recent Developments
        10.6.    Alter Trading Inc
                10.6.1.    Snapshot
                10.6.2.    Overview
                10.6.3.    Offerings
                10.6.4.    Financial Insight
                10.6.5.    Recent Developments
        10.7.    American Iron & Metal
                10.7.1.    Snapshot
                10.7.2.    Overview
                10.7.3.    Offerings
                10.7.4.    Financial Insight
                10.7.5.    Recent Developments
        10.8.    European Metal Recycling Ltd
                10.8.1.    Snapshot
                10.8.2.    Overview
                10.8.3.    Offerings
                10.8.4.    Financial Insight
                10.8.5.    Recent Developments
        10.9.    Gerdau SA
                10.9.1.    Snapshot
                10.9.2.    Overview
                10.9.3.    Offerings
                10.9.4.    Financial Insight
                10.9.5.    Recent Developments
        10.10.    Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc
                10.10.1.    Snapshot
                10.10.2.    Overview
                10.10.3.    Offerings
                10.10.4.    Financial Insight
                10.10.5.    Recent Developments
        10.11.    Novelis
                10.11.1.    Snapshot
                10.11.2.    Overview
                10.11.3.    Offerings
                10.11.4.    Financial Insight
                10.11.5.    Recent Developments
        10.12.    Tata Steel
                10.12.1.    Snapshot
                10.12.2.    Overview
                10.12.3.    Offerings
                10.12.4.    Financial Insight
                10.12.5.    Recent Developments
        10.13.    GFG ALLIANCE
                10.13.1.    Snapshot
                10.13.2.    Overview
                10.13.3.    Offerings
                10.13.4.    Financial Insight
                10.13.5.    Recent Developments
        10.14.    Norsk Hydro ASA
                10.14.1.    Snapshot
                10.14.2.    Overview
                10.14.3.    Offerings
                10.14.4.    Financial Insight
                10.14.5.    Recent Developments

11.    Appendix

        11.1.    Exchange Rates
        11.2.    Abbreviations

List of Tables

Table 1 Sources
Table 2 Study Periods
Table 3 Data Reporting Unit
Table 4 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 5 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 6 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 7 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 8 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 9 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 10 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 11 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 12 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 13 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 14 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 15 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 16 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion
Table 17 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 18 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 19 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 20 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 21 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 22 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2015– 2019 (USD Billion)
Table 23 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 24 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion
Table 25 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 26 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 27 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 28 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 29 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 30 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 31 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 32 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2023 (USD Billion)
Table 33 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2025 – 2030(USD Billion)
Table 34 Snapshot – ArcelorMittal
Table 35 Snapshot – Nucor Corporation
Table 36 Snapshot – Commercial Metals Company
Table 37 Snapshot – Sims Metal Management Limited  
Table 38 Snapshot – Aurubis AG 
Table 39 Snapshot – Alter Trading Inc 
Table 40 Snapshot – American Iron & Metal
Table 41 Snapshot – European Metal Recycling Ltd Airbus
Table 42 Snapshot – Gerdau SA 
Table 43 Snapshot – Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc
Table 44 Snapshot – Novelis
Table 45 Snapshot – Tata Steel
Table 46 Snapshot – GFG ALLIANCE
Table 47 Snapshot – Norsk Hydro ASA

List of Figures

Figure 1 Market Coverage
Figure 2 Research Phases
Figure 3 Secondary Sources for Different Parameters
Figure 4 Methodology
Figure 5 Data Mining & Exploration
Figure 6 Data Triangulation
Figure 7 Assumptions for Market Estimation and Forecast
Figure 8 Market Synopsis
Figure 9 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market - Growth Drivers and Restraints
Figure 10 Competitive Benchmark
Figure 11 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Highlight
Figure 12 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 13 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 14 Global Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 15 North America Scrap Metal Recycling Market Highlight
Figure 16 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 17 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 18 North America  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 19 Europe Scrap Metal Recycling Market Highlight
Figure 20 Europe  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 21 Europe  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 22 Europe  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 23 Asia-Pacific Scrap Metal Recycling Market Highlight
Figure 24 Asia-Pacific  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 25 Asia-Pacific  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 26 Asia-Pacific  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 27 RoW Scrap Metal Recycling Market Highlight
Figure 28 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Product Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 29 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, By Application Outlook, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 30 RoW  Scrap Metal Recycling Market Size, by Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion)