BIR releases report on global scrap trade and consumption during H1 2016

Published: Oct 20, 2016 09:49
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has released its latest report on global scrap consumption and trade.

October 19, 2016 08:01:46 AM
BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has released its latest report on global scrap consumption and trade. According to the report, the EU-28 region continues to be the top scrap exporter during the first half of the current year. The region’s export totaled 8.6 million mt during the initial six-month period of the year. The exports went higher by 15.2% when matched with those during the corresponding period last year. The leading importer of EU scrap was Turkey. The imports by Turkey totaled 5.01 million mt, accounting for nearly 58% of the total EU exports. The Turkish imports of EU scrap surged higher by over 14% year-on-year. Also, imports by India jumped higher by almost 30% year-on-year to 958,000 mt during January-June ’16.

The cumulative steel scrap exports by the US during the initial half-yearly period of 2016 totaled 5.901 million tons, down considerably by 14.5% compared to the same period of last year. The monthly exports averaged at 984,000 tons during the first six months of 2016. The export volumes to major destinations including China, Taiwan, Turkey, South Korea and Thailand dropped significantly during this period.

The largest importer of US scraps during the six-month period this year was Turkey. The US steel scrap exports to Turkey totaled 1.5 million mt, accounting for nearly 25% of the total scrap exports by the US during the six-month period. The scrap exports to Turkey dropped sharply by 24.4% year-on-year. The second largest export destination of US steel scrap was Taiwan. The exports to the country totaled 599,000 mt during Jan-June ‘16. The exports registered 49.3% decline over the year. The exports to South Korea and China declined by 13.6% and 32.8% respectively. The US scrap exports to Thailand too witnessed sharp year-on-year decline of 18.4%.

On the other hand, the US scrap exports to Mexico surged higher by 47%. The other countries to report significant jump in scrap imports from the US were Pakistan (+45.5%), India (+35.7%) and Peru (+30.5%).

The cumulative exports during the half-yearly period of the year totaled 4.775 million tons in Japan. The exports surged higher by nearly 16% over the same period in 2015. The country’s scrap exports to South Korea and Vietnam increased by 10.4% and 71.1% respectively. On the other hand, Japanese scrap exports to China and Taiwan declined by 15.7% and 9.6% respectively during the initial six-month period of 2016.

Meantime, the BIR report also indicates overall drop in scrap consumption during H1 2016.

The cumulative imports of ordinary steel scrap by Japan during the initial six-month period of the year totaled 20,335 metric tons. The import prices averaged at $99.75 per MT during this period. South Korea was the key exporter with imports from that country by Japan totaling 16,426 metric tons.

The scrap imports by Vietnam during the first half of the year totaled 1.79 million tons, rising significantly by nearly 24% over the previous year. Vietnam had imported 1.44 million tons of scrap during January to June in 2015.

With reference to the most recent data published by the Korean authorities, the country’s steel scrap imports during initial six-month period of the year were up marginally by 1.4% over the previous year to total 2.816 million tons. The monthly imports averaged at nearly 470,000 tons.

On the other hand, the Jan-Jun ’16 scrap imports by Thailand rose by nearly 7% over the year to 538,000 tons.

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 to learn 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
Strong Cost Support Remained; Ferrous Metals May Hold Up Well in the Short Term [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
Mar 13, 2026 18:30
Strong Cost Support Remained; Ferrous Metals May Hold Up Well in the Short Term [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
Read More
Strong Cost Support Remained; Ferrous Metals May Hold Up Well in the Short Term [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
Strong Cost Support Remained; Ferrous Metals May Hold Up Well in the Short Term [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
This week, ferrous metals rebounded from the bottom. At the start of the week, coking coal and coke led the futures higher, mainly driven by rising crude oil prices in the overseas market, which pushed the energy and chemicals sector stronger accordingly; mid-week, both the U.S. and Iran signaled a more relaxed stance toward war, easing geopolitical tensions, while coal prices fell in tandem, weakening the cost-side logic, and ferrous metals fluctuated at highs; in the latter half of the week, worsening short-term liquidity issues in BHP's iron ore port inventory triggered stronger iron ore prices in the overseas market, while the Middle East situation remained volatile, reinforcing cost support and pushing ferrous metals higher again. In the spot market, supported by futures, end-user and arbitrage purchase sentiment both improved WoW this week......
Mar 13, 2026 18:30
Japanese Researchers Set World Record with 12.28% Efficient Indium-Free Solar Cell
Mar 13, 2026 17:28
Japanese Researchers Set World Record with 12.28% Efficient Indium-Free Solar Cell
Read More
Japanese Researchers Set World Record with 12.28% Efficient Indium-Free Solar Cell
Japanese Researchers Set World Record with 12.28% Efficient Indium-Free Solar Cell
The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan recently announced the successful development of a copper gallium selenide (CuGaSe₂) solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 12.28%, setting a world record for indium-free wide-bandgap chalcogenide solar cells in the same frequency band. The research team enhanced the open-circuit voltage and cell performance by incorporating aluminum to form a back-surface field and optimizing the buffer layer. This achievement provides a new approach for the development of high-efficiency tandem solar cells.
Mar 13, 2026 17:28
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Stable Quotes, Some Producers Lower Prices Amid Futures Fluctuations
Mar 13, 2026 17:27
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Stable Quotes, Some Producers Lower Prices Amid Futures Fluctuations
Read More
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Stable Quotes, Some Producers Lower Prices Amid Futures Fluctuations
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Stable Quotes, Some Producers Lower Prices Amid Futures Fluctuations
[SMM Aluminum Alloy Flash] Quotations in the secondary aluminum alloy market were mainly stable today. Before noon, fluctuations in futures narrowed, and enterprises’ willingness to adjust prices weakened significantly, with most producers choosing to hold prices steady and wait on the sidelines. In the afternoon, as futures fluctuated downward, some producers began to lower quotations by 100 yuan/mt. Demand side, downstream buyers still mainly made just-in-time procurement, but against the backdrop of a pullback in aluminum prices and the approaching weekend, some enterprises showed slightly stronger procurement willingness, and market transactions improved somewhat from the previous day.
Mar 13, 2026 17:27
BIR releases report on global scrap trade and consumption during H1 2016 - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)