Aluminium Scrap Recovery Boosts US Supply Stability Amid Trade Shifts

[Aluminium Scrap Recovery Growth Helps US Maintain Balance Despite Trade Shifts]

In February 2025, the US exported 162,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap, up 5.88% month-on-month, while imports fell 5.84% to 59,700 tonnes, according to USGS data. Compared to February 2024, exports rose 2.53% and imports surged 24.8%. The rise in exports was supported by an 8% increase in domestic scrap recovery, reaching 321,000 tonnes, with 50.46% of it exported and 159,000 tonnes retained locally—forming a buffer ahead of a 25% import tariff effective March 12, 2025.

Most of the recovered scrap came from new sources (184,000 tonnes), with the rest from old scrap (137,000 tonnes). Export volumes to India, Malaysia, South Korea, and China all increased, while exports to Thailand declined. On the import side, shipments from Canada dropped by 17.31%, while imports from Mexico rose. For January–February 2025, total exports reached 316,000 tonnes and imports 123,000 tonnes—both higher than a year earlier. This growing scrap recovery is helping the US maintain supply stability despite shifting trade dynamics.