Metal Recycling Market Report 2025

The metal recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $346.93 billion in 2024 to $373.51 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for secondary raw materials, increased metal consumption across various manufacturing sectors, heightened environmental awareness and regulations, expansion in steel and aluminum production, and stronger landfill diversion efforts.

The metal recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $495.16 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. In the forecast period, growth is expected to be driven by greater focus on circular economy policies, increased use of recycled metals in the automotive and construction industries, energy savings from secondary metal production, expansion of electronic waste recycling programs, and growing investments in sustainable infrastructure. Key trends include advancements in sensor-based sorting technologies, innovations in automated metal separation systems, integration of digital monitoring with cloud-based platforms, development of modular recycling machinery, and ongoing research into more efficient metal recovery methods.

The increasing industrialization is expected to drive growth in the metal recycling market moving forward. Industrialization refers to the shift of an economy from agriculture-based to manufacturing-focused through the development of industries and mechanized production. This growth is fueled by the rising demand for efficient production systems that minimize manual labor, boost output, and streamline processes to meet growing consumer and infrastructure needs with minimal delays. Metal recycling supports industrialization by offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient source of raw materials, decreasing dependence on virgin metal extraction, and ensuring a consistent supply of metals vital for manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure projects. For example, according to the US Federal Reserve Board in June 2025, overall industrial capacity is projected to grow by 0.9% in 2022 following a 0.4% rise in 2021. Thus, industrialization is propelling the expansion of the metal recycling market.

Key players in the metal recycling machinery market are adopting innovative solutions such as in-house metal refining systems to promote sustainable raw material production and lessen reliance on virgin resources. These refining systems recycle industrial metal waste - such as off-spec powders, molds, and offcuts - into high-quality raw materials that can be reused for metal powder manufacturing processes such as metal injection molding (MIM). For instance, in June 2025, Epson Atmix Corporation, a Japan-based metal powders manufacturer, completed a new metal recycling facility at its Kita-Inter Plant No. 2. This plant employs a closed-loop recycling system to process discarded metals from Epson’s operations and the local community, converting them into refined materials for metal powder production. This initiative aligns with Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050 by substituting blast furnace iron with recycled feedstock, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions and conserving underground resources. The facility also strengthens the supply chain for metal powders used in compact, energy-efficient components and MIM products, supporting the industry’s move toward a circular economy.

In September 2024, Emirates Global Aluminium P.J.S.C., a UAE-based aluminum producer, acquired an 80% stake in Spectro Alloys for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to broaden Emirates Global Aluminium’s global presence in low-carbon aluminum production by enhancing its footprint in the United States and advancing its metal recycling operations. Spectro Alloys, based in the US, specializes in recycling post-consumer and post-industrial aluminum scrap into high-quality alloys.

Major players in the metal recycling market are Glencore plc, ArcelorMittal Société Anonyme, Nucor Corporation, Tata Steel Limited, Aurubis AG, Zhejiang Jintian Copper Industrial Co. Ltd., Commercial Metals Company, Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., American Iron & Metal Company Inc., SA Metal Group Proprietary Limited, Pacific Steel & Recycling, Upstate Shredding, Triple M Metal LP, Multimetco Incorporated, Klein Recycling Incorporated, Amerigo Metal Recycling Limited Liability Company, Stena Metall Aktiebolag, European Metal Recycling Limited, Aqua Metals Incorporated, and Integral Scrap & Recycling Incorporated.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the metal recycling market in 2024. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in metal recycling report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the metal recycling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s recommendations and conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The steep increase in U.S. tariffs and the triggered trade tensions in spring 2025 are profoundly impacting the metal and minerals sector by disrupting supply chains for automakers, appliance manufacturers, and infrastructure projects. Domestic mills have raised prices in response to reduced import competition, but capacity constraints limit their ability to meet demand. Mining firms, meanwhile, grapple with retaliatory tariffs on mineral exports, particularly lithium and rare earths. Industry players are investing in scrap metal recycling, lobbying for exemptions, and forming joint ventures with overseas producers to secure stable supply.

Metal recycling involves recovering and reprocessing used metal materials into new, usable raw materials while preserving their core properties. This practice helps reduce the demand for virgin metal extraction, conserves natural resources, lowers energy usage, and decreases environmental pollution linked to mining and metal production.

The main categories of metal recycling include new metal recycling and old metal recycling. New metal recycling focuses on recovering and processing metal scrap generated during the manufacturing of metal products. The key metal types involved are steel, aluminum, copper, and others, which serve various end users such as building and construction, packaging, automotive, industrial machinery, electronics and electrical equipment, and shipbuilding.

The metal recycling market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides metal recycling market statistics, including the metal recycling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the metal recycling market share, detailed metal recycling market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the metal recycling industry. This metal recycling market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The metal recycling market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, curbside collection recycling, industrial collection and processing, and sheet or coil recycling. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

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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