Metal Recycling Market Report 2026

The metal recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $373.51 billion in 2025 to $401.49 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in industrial metal consumption, increasing availability of manufacturing scrap, rising awareness of environmental pollution, cost advantages of recycled metals over virgin metals, expansion of construction and automotive industries.

The metal recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $530.26 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter environmental regulations on mining and smelting, rising demand for sustainable raw materials, growth in electric vehicle and battery production, advancements in metal sorting and separation technologies, increasing investments in recycling infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include rising emphasis on closed-loop metal recycling, growing recovery of end-of-life vehicles and appliances, increasing demand for high-purity recycled metals, expansion of scrap collection and processing infrastructure, rising focus on energy-efficient recycling processes.

The growth in industrialization is expected to drive the expansion of the metal recycling market in the coming years. Industrialization refers to the shift of an economy from a predominantly agricultural base to one centered on manufacturing goods and services through the advancement of industries and mechanized production methods. The increase in industrialization is driven 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 fewer delays. Metal recycling contributes to industrialization by offering a cost-efficient and energy-saving source of raw materials, lowering dependence on virgin metal extraction, and ensuring a reliable supply of metals required for manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure projects. For example, in January 2025, Eurostat, the Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union, reported that in 2024, seasonally adjusted industrial production increased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.1% across the EU compared with October 2024. Consequently, the rise in industrialization is fueling the growth 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 companies operating in the metal recycling market report 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, Integral Scrap & Recycling Incorporated.

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

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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