BRUSSELS — The European Commission is preparing new measures to curb exports of aluminum scrap from the European Union in an effort to prevent domestic shortages of a key material needed for industrial decarbonization, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic announced on Tuesday.
EU aluminum scrap exports reached a record 1.26 million metric tons in 2024, according to data from industry group European Aluminium—a nearly 50% increase over five years, with most shipments destined for Asian markets. European producers warn that rising exports risk depriving the bloc’s industry of essential recycled material at a time when aluminum recycling plays a critical role in reducing emissions.
The situation has been exacerbated by U.S. trade policy. Under former President Donald Trump, the United States imposed a 50% tariff on aluminum imports but only a 15% tariff on aluminum scrap. This disparity boosted U.S. scrap imports and reduced its own exports, prompting Asian buyers to turn increasingly to European supply.
The European Commission began monitoring scrap outflows in July and is now advancing “preparatory work” on a new export measure to address what Sefcovic described as “aluminum scrap leakage.” The proposal is expected to be finalized in spring 2026 and will aim to balance the interests of producers, recyclers, and downstream sectors.
Recycled aluminum is central to Europe’s climate goals, requiring 95% less energy to produce compared with aluminum smelted from raw bauxite ore. However, recycling industry association EuRIC argues that export restrictions would not address the root cause of rising shipments, saying they stem from low domestic demand and limited EU capacity to process mixed scrap, including material from shredded vehicles.
