China's Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Rises 297 MT, Foshan Sees Major Buildup

According to customs data, aluminum extrusion covered by specific tariff codes (76041010, 76041090, 76042100, 76042910, 76042990) recorded exports of 48,000 mt in March 2026. Exports decreased by 24.8% month-on-month and by 32.8% year-on-year.

A UK survey of around 2,000 people shows strong support for government action to boost aluminum recycling, with about 58% concerned that too much aluminum is not reused domestically. Trade tensions, US tariffs and Asian subsidies have weakened UK recyclers’ competitiveness, leading to more scrap exports instead of local processing. In contrast, the EU has introduced measures to limit secondary aluminum exports, while the UK has yet to follow. Industry participants warn this trend reduces returns on domestic recycling investments and calls for policies such as deposit return schemes to increase recycling rates and strengthen circularity.

[SMM Express] Today, the inventory of secondary aluminum alloy ingots in China's major consumption areas increased by 380 mt compared with yesterday, with slight inventory buildup observed in Foshan, Ningbo, and Wuxi.