Recycled Metal Market Report 2026

The recycled metal market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $75.5 billion in 2025 to $80.35 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in construction steel recycling, rising automotive metal scrap recovery, expansion of industrial machinery refurbishment, increasing electronics waste processing, development of non-ferrous metal recycling processes.

The recycled metal market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $104.9 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand from electric vehicle production, growth in sustainable packaging materials, increasing industrial automation in metal recycling, expansion of circular economy initiatives, development of advanced recycling technologies for precious metals. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of recycled steel products, rising use of aluminum scrap in manufacturing, growing application of recycled copper components, expansion of specialty alloy recycling, increasing integration of recycled metals in consumer goods.

Rising demand from the construction sector is expected to support the growth of the recycled metal market. The construction industry involves activities related to building, maintaining, and repairing structures, as well as drilling and mineral exploration. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to an increase in construction projects, which in turn has created greater need for cost-effective and sustainable building materials. Recycled metals meet this need because they reduce raw material use and provide economic benefits. For example, in June 2024, the UK Office for National Statistics reported that total construction new orders increased by 16.5% in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the first quarter. Therefore, the expansion of construction activity is contributing to the growth of the recycled metal market.

Companies in the recycled metal industry are developing advanced technologies such as AI-powered sorting systems to improve efficiency and material quality. These systems use deep-learning algorithms to automatically identify and separate aluminum scrap based on composition, shape, and size, creating high-purity fractions suitable for smelting. For instance, in March 2025, Tomra Systems ASA introduced GAINnext, an AI-enhanced sorting platform designed to work alongside its X-TRACT X-ray transmission technology. The solution enables faster and more accurate sorting of complex aluminum scrap streams and supports progress toward a more circular metals economy.

In August 2024, ABC Recycling Limited acquired Pacific Metals Recycling International to expand its processing capacity and strengthen its presence in the recycled metals market. The acquisition integrates Pacific Metals’ scrap collection network and processing facilities into ABC Recycling’s operations, enhancing its ability to serve customers across multiple regions. Pacific Metals specializes in processing a wide range of scrap metal materials.

Major companies operating in the recycled metal market report are ArcelorMittal S.A., Nucor Corporation, Commercial Metals Company, Sims Metal Management Limited, Aurubis AG, Novelis Inc., ELG Haniel Group, Kuusakoski Group Oy, Tata Steel Ltd., Steel Dynamics Inc., Norsk Hydro ASA, GFG Alliances, China Baowu Group, HKS Scrap Metals B.V., AMG Resources Corporation, European Metal Recycling, Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., OmniSource Corporation, Alter Trading Corporation, Ferrous Processing & Trading Co., Metal Management Inc., Tube City IMS LLC, SA Recycling LLC, Upstate Shredding LLC, PSC Metals Inc., American Iron & Metal Company, Southern Recycling LLC, Gerdau S.A., Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., Liberty Steel Group, Sims Limited.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the recycled metal market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the recycled metal market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the recycled metal market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The recycled metal market consists of sales of recycled brass, lead, bronze, and others. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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