Aluminum Scrap Markets
September 10, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
August aluminum lead times moved lower at the mill level even as survey respondents reported stronger demand. Every respondent described qualitative lead times as stable, while measured sheet and extrusion waits fell sharply. Import competitiveness also increased as the three-month outlook moved toward balanced.
US aluminum scrap imports increased faster than exports through August, while similar tonnage gains kept net exports near year earlier levels.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, challenging the district court’s decision to uphold Oregon’s version of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that are popping up across the country.
Rio Tinto will exclusively market billet from RevoCast’s new British Columbia plant under a long-term agreement combining primary and recycled aluminum.
Recycler forward expectations swung toward oversupply in September as inventory drawdowns eased and export demand lost August’s improving responses.
Aluminum sheet lead times rose in September even as more respondents became more comfortable with overall supply.
