ISRI releases International Database on Global Scrap Trade

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The International Scrap Trade Database released by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) provides information on global scrap trade over the past decade. According to the database, exports of all scrap commodities totaled around 180 million metric tonnes in 2015 alone. The global scrap trade was valued at more than $86 billion during the year, ISRI data base noted. The US continued to remain as the largest exporter of scrap commodities, whereas China was the world’s largest consumer of commodities including scrap.

Joe Pickard, chief economist for ISRI noted that the database is intended to serve as one-stop shop that consolidates statistics dedicated to cross-border movement of scrap commodities. It provides relevant information to scrap processors and consumers into market conditions and opportunities that could help them grow their business. The data is expected to prove highly beneficial to traders, brokers, market analysts, government agencies as well as to the press.

The International Database provides detailed information on global scrap trade for ferrous scrap, non-ferrous scrap including copper, aluminum, nickel, lead and zinc, recovered paper and fiber and plastic scrap. The database has been released in line with the ISRI’s Annual Convention and Exposition being held April 22-27 in New Orleans.

The World Scrap Trade Export Flow totaled 179,551,955 mt in 2015. The scrap trade volumes were valued at $86.495 billion. The global imports of ferrous scrap totaled 88.051 million mt in 2015. The imports were down when compared with 90.814 million mt during 2005. The top three importers of ferrous scrap in 2015 were Turkey (16.251 million mt), India (6.710 million mt) and Republic of Korea (5.746 million mt). Meantime, global ferrous scrap exports totaled 87.117 million mt during the year, falling significantly from 91. 803 million mt in 2005.

Among non-ferrous scrap, copper scrap imports totaled 6.731 million mt. The leading copper scrap importer was China with imports of 3.657 million mt, followed by Germany (603,783 mt) and Republic of Korea (289,657 mt). The global copper scrap exports totaled 6.206 million mt. The USA was the key exporter with 954,610 mt, followed by Germany (517,706 mt) and France (279,313 mt).

The global imports of aluminum scrap totaled 8.853 million mt in 2015. The top three importers were China (2.087 million mt), India (882,882 mt) and Germany (790,138 mt). The largest exporter of aluminum scrap was the US with 1.498 million mt. The other key exporters were Germany (1.064 million mt) and Canada (499,982 mt). The global exports totaled 7.834 million mt in 2015.

Nickel scrap imports totaled 106,311 mt. The leading nickel scrap importer was the USA with imports of 25,310 mt, followed by Canada (20,079 mt) and Sweden (12,280 mt). The global nickel scrap exports totaled 139,277 mt. The USA was the key exporter with 26,744 mt, followed by Saudi Arabia (13,224 mt) and the UK (12,015 mt).

The global imports of lead scrap totaled 299,256 mt in 2015. The top three importers were India (57,620 mt), Spain (42,845 mt) and Belgium (26,227 mt). The largest exporter of lead scrap was France with 57,659 mt. The other key exporters were Netherlands (52,276 mt) and the USA (46,573 mt). The global exports totaled 384,692 mt in 2015.

Zinc scrap imports totaled 371,368 mt. The leading zinc scrap importer was India with imports of 62,364 mt, followed by France (59,218 mt) and Belgium (48,258 mt). The global zinc scrap exports totaled 370,133 mt. France was the key exporter with 79,287 mt, followed by the USA (55,224 mt) and Germany (45,865 mt).

Global imports of plastic scrap totaled 15.349 million mt, whereas export trade totaled 11.841 million mt. Global imports of recovered paper stood at 57.619 million mt in 2015. The exports of recovered paper totaled 57.565 million mt.