Non-Ferrous Scrap Recycling Market Report 2026

The non-ferrous scrap recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $81.12 billion in 2025 to $86.67 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand for aluminum and copper in construction and automotive sectors, increasing industrial scrap generation, rising adoption of basic mechanical recycling methods, expansion of electronics manufacturing driving copper and nickel scrap, focus on reducing environmental impact of metal production.

The non-ferrous scrap recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $111.74 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory support for circular economy initiatives, growing demand for recycled metals in automotive and electronics, expansion of advanced hydrometallurgical and bioleaching processes, rising investments in scrap collection and processing infrastructure, adoption of innovative technologies for high-purity metal recovery. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of aluminum and copper scrap recycling, increasing focus on post-consumer and industrial scrap collection, expansion of pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling processes, growing investment in bioleaching and proprietary recycling technologies, rising use of recycled non-ferrous metals in automotive and electronics industries.

The rising prices of virgin metals are expected to drive the growth of the non-ferrous scrap recycling market. Virgin metals refer to newly mined or primary metals that have not been processed, refined, or recycled, such as aluminum, copper, tin, and other non-ferrous materials. The surge in prices for virgin metals is largely due to supply constraints caused by trade restrictions, export bans, and production disruptions in key producing countries, coupled with increasing demand for metals used in industrial and clean-energy applications. Non-ferrous scrap recycling offers a solution to rising metal prices by reducing dependence on the extraction of virgin metals, ensuring a more stable and cost-effective supply of raw materials, and mitigating market volatility caused by resource scarcity. For example, in May 2024, the World Bank reported that its metals and minerals price index rose by 9% month-on-month, with copper, tin, and aluminum prices expected to increase by 5%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. This indicates ongoing upward pressure on the costs of virgin metals, thus fueling growth in the non-ferrous scrap recycling market.

Leading companies in the non-ferrous scrap recycling market are focusing on innovations in advanced sorting technologies, such as AI-powered color sorting with object-level singulation, to improve purity and recovery rates in mixed metal recycling streams. AI-powered color sorting uses artificial intelligence and precision RGB imaging to identify and separate individual metal fragments, even when they are overlapping or visually similar, based on their color, shape, and size. For instance, in September 2025, TOMRA Recycling, a Norway-based provider of sensor-based sorting solutions, launched its FINDER COLOR system. This next-generation system combines a highly precise RGB camera with AI algorithms to process up to 20 tons per hour and deliver exceptional accuracy across a range of non-ferrous materials. Integrated with TOMRA’s X-TRACT and cloud-based TOMRA Insight, FINDER COLOR improves data-driven efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability in color-based metal sorting.

In March 2023, Sims Metal, a U.S.-based metal recycling provider, acquired Northeast Metal Traders for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is part of Sims Metal’s strategy to expand its non-ferrous metal business in North America, increase copper recycling volumes, and strengthen its position in the growing copper scrap market, which is driven by trends in energy transition and decarbonization. Northeast Metal Traders is a U.S.-based processor and broker specializing in non-ferrous scrap metal recycling.

Major companies operating in the non-ferrous scrap recycling market report are Glencore plc, Rio Tinto Group, Hindalco Industries Limited, Umicore SA/NV, Aurubis AG, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Boliden AB, Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd., Sims Limited, Chiho Environmental Group Limited, European Metal Recycling Limited (EMR), Remondis SE & Co. KG, Matalco Inc., Campine NV, Triple M Metal LP, ABR Recycling Kft., Harsco Corporation, Alter Trading Corporation, Toyota Tsusho America Inc., Commercial Metals Company, BL Duke Inc., GMH Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG, Trafigura Group Pte. Ltd., Steel Dynamics Inc.

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

The non-ferrous scrap recycling market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as collection, segregation, processing, shredding, melting, refining, and trading of non-ferrous metal scrap. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.