31 Mar 2014 Last updated at 06:30:56 GMT

NEW YORK (Scrap Monster): The ferrous scrap exports from the US declined sharply during Jan ’14, making a weak start to the year.

The ferrous scrap exports from the country totaled 897,900 metric tons during the month, 41.5% higher when compared with the exports during the same month previous year. The weighted average price of ferrous scrap exports during the month averaged at $424 per metric ton, marginally higher by 0.8% over the previous year.

The exports of other scrap materials remained almost flat during January 2014.

The scrap plastic exports during the month totaled 354.98 million pounds. The volume of plastic scrap exports declined by 3.2% when compared with the January 2013 exports. The scrap plastic exports in January remained almost flat over the prior month. The exports during January witnessed marginal decline of 0.9% from those during December 2013.

The recovered paper exports declined by 3.7% over the previous year to 1.67 million metric tons in January 2014. The weighted average price of recovered paper exports were up 1.3% when compared with those during the same month a year ago.

The aluminum scrap exports during January 2014 totaled 299.4 million pounds. The scrap exports declined by 4.6% over January 2013. The price of aluminum scrap exports averaged at 78 cents per pound, higher by 1% over the year.

Author: Paul Ploumis