BIR World Mirror on Non-Ferrous Metals – Issue March 2025: What’s the hot topic in non-ferrous metals? It’s all about the “T” word…

A concise summary of the BIR World Mirror on Non-Ferrous Metals – Issue March 2025. Full version with detailed market reports available in the Members Only section of the BIR website.

Tariffs have given rise to nervousness, volatility and uncertainty - all of which have had a significant trickle-down effect on metals recyclers, according to the latest World Mirror on Non-Ferrous Metals compiled by BIR from reports submitted by a global array of industry experts.

Chinese consumers have reportedly reduced their purchases from US suppliers owing to tariff tensions between the two countries. India too faces uncertainty over trade relations with the USA amid potential for reciprocal tariffs, although there is said to be sufficient availability of aluminium scrap when taking account of offers from non-US origins. Sea freight rates have been falling, thereby reducing the cost of scrap imports. Meanwhile, India’s large-scale copper imports in the final quarter of 2024 reflect sustained industrial demand for the mix of semi-finished, scrap and finished copper products.

Postponement of the USA’s 25% tariffs on Mexican imports until April 2 has provided temporary relief but Section 232 tariffs of 25% on aluminium products, effective since March 12, have already impacted trade for America’s southern neighbour. High LME prices and rising regional premiums have influenced buying behaviour, with some purchasers widening their discounts for extrusion scrap and UBC in particular, whereas others have stepped out of the market to await greater stability. Mexico’s industrial activity remains subdued, limiting scrap availability. 

While tariffs were initially being applied to recycled materials, Canadian recyclers attempting to ship material into the USA faced duty charges at the border. Many turned their trucks around while others chose to pay the duty and later filed for reimbursement once the tariffs were postponed. However, there is an expectation among recyclers that their materials will be included in the US tariff announcement scheduled for April 2.

In the USA itself, markets are said to be skittish about tariffs and the trading environment. Domestic scrap demand is described as healthy, however, with profile and rolling mill scrap remaining tight owing to the dual impact of weather and limited production.

Across in Europe, tariffs are said to have created deep uncertainty among smelters, recyclers and consumers. Volatility has had a noticeable impact on many European plants, with some limiting their purchases of recycled raw materials and even postponing deliveries against already-concluded deals owing to fluctuating order volumes. Meanwhile, Russia’s much stronger currency is dampening exports.

Material shortages continue to drive the market in many parts of Europe; feedback from the Nordic Countries, for example, confirms not only low inflows into yards despite milder weather but also intense competition even for the smallest tonnages. UK merchants, by contrast, are reporting higher levels of activity over the last two months but also continuing confusion over legislation concerning electric motors.

Heading east, Malaysia’s Port Klang is experiencing renewed disruption as the authorities subject every inbound and outbound container to exhaustive checks to verify Harmonized System (HS) codes; some shipping lines have opted to avoid the port altogether. Environmental inspections in Thailand, meanwhile, have led to the temporary shutdown of numerous processing facilities, with limited production permits and inconsistent policy frameworks said to have created an atmosphere of uncertainty among processors.

On a positive note, non-ferrous metals recycling in the Middle East is poised for significant growth on the back of, among other factors, Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and reconstruction in Lebanon.

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With contributions from its members, BIR publishes periodical commodity reports under the label "BIR World Mirror". These detailed reports exist for Non-Ferrous Metals, Ferrous, Stainless Steel / Alloys, Paper, Plastics and Latin America and provide BIR members with up-to-date information on the respective commodity or market segment.

The report on Non-Ferrous Metals appears once every two months, whereas Ferrous, Stainless Steel, Paper and Plastics are published quarterly. Latin America is covered twice per year.