Scrap Metal Recycling - Industry Market Research Report

Scrap Metal Recycling

The Scrap Metal Recycling industry collects and processes both ferrous (iron-based) and nonferrous metals. Metal recycling has become more popular over the past few decades because it offers energy savings and cost benefits when compared with primary production, which requires extracting metals from mined ores. However, industry operators have experienced losses over the past five years due to the cyclical nature of metal prices on world markets. Over the five years to 2019, the prices of steel, aluminum, copper and other metals have fallen sharply, devaluing inventory and inducing industry revenue losses. Prices of industry metals will continue to remain volatile over the next five years. The uncertainty in metal prices will be amplified by tariffs on upstream metal production. Furthermore, increased domestic production could potentially increase supply and further lower the prices of metals recycled by industry operators. As a result, industry revenue is expected to rise only marginally over the five years to 2024.

Operators in this industry are engaged in the collection, processing and recycling of ferrous metals, such as iron and steel, and nonferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper and nickel. The typical recycling process involves sorting, shearing, shredding, torching and baling scrap metal to be sold to downstream metal smelters for further processing.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.