Non-ferrous metals recycling reinforces its standing as a “sunrise industry”

In line with China’s 14^th Five Year Plan (2021-25), the country’s recycled non-ferrous metals industry has fully implemented the new development concept, with an increasing number of industrial enterprises, a larger industrial scale and an improved image. With its irreplaceable value in resource recycling and significant advantages in energy conservation and carbon reduction, it has become an important component of China’s raw material security and sustainable development, constantly presenting itself as a “sunrise industry”.

China’s production of recycled metals currently accounts for around one-third of the world total and is exhibiting a continuous growth trend, becoming a driving force within the global non-ferrous metals recycling industry. For the years from 2021 to 2024, for example, production of recycled copper totalled, respectively, 3.65 million tonnes, 3.75 million tonnes, 4.1 million tonnes and 4.3 million tonnes while, in the same years, production of recycled aluminium amounted to 8 million tonnes, 8.65 million tonnes, 9.5 million tonnes and 10.55 million tonnes. For recycled lead, meanwhile, the corresponding totals were 2.7 million tonnes, 2.85 million tonnes, 2.98 million tonnes and 2.9 million tonnes.

From 2021 to 2023, recycled copper, aluminium and lead delivered a total carbon dioxide emission reduction of 396 million tonnes, including 32.2 million tonnes in respect of recycled copper, 348.58 million tonnes for recycled aluminium and 14.95 million tonnes for recycled lead.

In the years from 2021 to 2023, China’s imports of recycled metal raw materials amounted to, in chronological order, 2.72 million tonnes, 3.29 million tonnes and 3.74 million tonnes. Import volumes are expected to have exceeded 4 million tonnes in 2024.