【SMM Aluminum Flash News】ALFED Calls for Greater Domestic Recycling Capacity to Retain Aluminum Value in the UK

Published: Aug 3, 2026 16:30

Save

The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) said the UK already has strong aluminum collection and recycling systems, but lacks sufficient high-value domestic processing capacity, resulting in large volumes of aluminum scrap being exported. In 2025, the UK exported more than 623,000 tonnes of aluminum scrap, including over 23,000 tonnes to the United States, while still importing around 90,000 tonnes of scrap. ALFED called for greater investment in advanced sorting, alloy-specific recycling and remelting capacity, arguing that treating aluminum scrap as a strategic secondary raw material would strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce reliance on primary aluminum imports and retain more economic value within the UK.

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

19 mins ago

Indonesia Clarifies Alumina Export Rules Amid Rare Earth Element Concerns

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Indonesia has clarified that the recent rare earth element (REE/LTJ) issue does not constitute a blanket ban on alumina exports, despite market concerns following the detention of an alumina shipment. The government said the current regulations prohibit exports of REEs as a primary commodity, while alumina exports remain subject to existing export regulations and are not automatically restricted due to incidental REE content.

19 mins ago

34 mins ago

SHFE Cast Aluminum Alloy Warrants Drop to 17,553 mt on August 3

[SMM Flash] SHFE data showed that on August 3, total registered cast aluminum alloy warrants stood at 17,553 mt, down 118 mt from the previous trading day. The regional breakdown was as follows: Shanghai (1,506 mt, down 0 mt), Guangdong (1,490 mt, down 88 mt), Jiangsu (3,806 mt, down 0 mt), Zhejiang (6,932 mt, down 30 mt), Chongqing (3,034 mt, down 0 mt), Sichuan (785 mt, down 0 mt).

34 mins ago

50 mins ago

【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Rio Tinto's Bell Bay Smelter Excluded from Australia's Green Aluminum Support Scheme

Rio Tinto-operated Bell Bay Aluminum has been excluded from Australia's AUD 2 billion Green Aluminum Production Credit scheme, increasing pressure on the smelter to secure a long-term power agreement before the end of the year. Bell Bay is Australia's only predominantly renewable-powered primary aluminum smelter, with an annual production capacity of 187,000 tonnes. The facility accounts for around 25% of Tasmania's electricity consumption and exports more than 90% of its aluminum production to Asian markets. Without competitive power pricing and government support, the smelter faces uncertainty over its operations beyond 2026.

50 mins ago