【SMM Aluminum Flash News】UK’s aluminium scrap requirement estimated to hit 6Mt by 2035

Published: Jul 13, 2026 09:45
The UK has an ambitious aluminium scrap equation to solve. Domestic industry is forecast to require as much as 6 million tonnes of aluminium scrap for recycling by 2035 to support the government’s projected 8 million tonnes of aluminium demand across sectors. Yet much of the metal needed to support that future is already flowing in the opposite direction. The UK exports almost half the aluminium scrap it generates, while imports fill only 27 per cent of the resulting gap. The trend has continued into 2026, with scrap exports rising 9 per cent year on year to 217,611 tonnes during January–April, from 200,374 tonnes a year earlier. Scrap is becoming increasingly important at home, but overseas buyers are competing for the same material.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】13th July Bauxite Transaction at 72 USD/t
9 mins ago
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】13th July Bauxite Transaction at 72 USD/t
Read More
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】13th July Bauxite Transaction at 72 USD/t
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】13th July Bauxite Transaction at 72 USD/t
Overseas Bauxite Transaction: On 13th July 2026, a shipment of Guinean bauxite, graded 45/3, was traded at 72 USD/t CIF Northern Chinese Ports, with arrival scheduled between late July to early August.
9 mins ago
Central China Market Sees Rising Quotes Amid High Trading Activity and Sluggish Downstream Demand
22 mins ago
Central China Market Sees Rising Quotes Amid High Trading Activity and Sluggish Downstream Demand
Read More
Central China Market Sees Rising Quotes Amid High Trading Activity and Sluggish Downstream Demand
Central China Market Sees Rising Quotes Amid High Trading Activity and Sluggish Downstream Demand
Today, the transaction atmosphere in the central China market remained high. Trading firms engaging in both spot and futures market tended to purchase large volumes at low premiums, which boosted market quotes to gradually rise. However, downstream processing enterprises, constrained by insufficient end-user orders, kept their buying sentiment sluggish, with their purchase prices diverging significantly from those of the traders. Ultimately, the actual transaction prices in the central China market were in the range of premiums of -100 to -130 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum August contract.
22 mins ago
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Kimura Group expands aluminium casting capabilities with New HQ Plant in Japan
1 hour ago
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Kimura Group expands aluminium casting capabilities with New HQ Plant in Japan
Read More
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Kimura Group expands aluminium casting capabilities with New HQ Plant in Japan
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Kimura Group expands aluminium casting capabilities with New HQ Plant in Japan
Kimura Group, a global leader in casting innovation with nearly 100 years of foundry expertise, announced the launch of its Advanced Aluminum HQ Plant at the company's headquarters in Shizuoka, Japan. The new facility, which began operations in February 2026, expands Kimura's capabilities for producing large, thin-wall aluminium castings used in prototype development and small-lot production. Designed to meet the growing demand for increasingly complex aluminium components in the automotive industry, the facility combines low-pressure sand casting (LPSC), V-Process vacuum moulding, and proprietary heat-treatment technology to deliver production-like material properties while preserving the speed and flexibility of sand casting.
1 hour ago