Aluminum Scrap Markets
August 25, 2025
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
The United States has a lot of metal that’s not being fully used. Just think of all the used beverage cans (UBCs) that end up in landfills rather than scrap yards.
And it’s one of the many factors that comes into play when debating the pros and cons of a ban on recycled metal exports, according to Greg Wittbecker, senior advisor for Aluminum Market Update.
At ADI’s facility in Mississippi, all three cold mills are now operational, which will allow ADI to access the full 650,000-metric-ton annual capability, the company said.
Recycler forward views shifted toward undersupply in October even as Midwest Premium and UBC expectations moved lower.
Rio Tinto maintained third quarter aluminum production as its Arvida smelter transition continued, while the company delayed two capacity projects at the Quebec complex.
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.
