European aluminum group calls for fees on scrap exports from EU

A European aluminum association is urging the European Commission to impose export fees on scrap to keep more of the recycled metal at home for the industry’s use.

Scrap exports reached a record high of 1.2 million tonnes in 2024, according to the Belgium-based European Aluminum, which added that around 40% of the EU’s aluminum consumption comes from recycling. However, about 15% of Europe’s recycling furnace capacity is idled due to the lack of scrap availability.