Archive · 18 Nov 2025
EU to Limit Aluminum Scrap Exports for Decarbonization
The European Union wants to reduce how much aluminum scrap it sends to other countries.
This is because they need it to make new things and to help fight climate change.
The EU wants to make sure they have enough scrap to use, but they also want to be fair to everyone who needs it.
This includes people who make new things from old aluminum and people who recycle it.
The EU plans to do this by next spring.
EU plans to curb aluminum scrap exports to secure domestic supply
Measure aims to balance access to scrap while considering all stakeholders
Shortage driven by U.S. tariffs and Asian demand
Aluminum recycling crucial for Europe's decarbonization efforts
New measure expected to be adopted by spring 2026
- Who
- The European Commission, led by Maros Sefcovic
- What
- Plans to restrict aluminum scrap exports
- When
- By spring 2026
- Where
- In the European Union
- Why
- To secure domestic supplies for decarbonization and strategic autonomy
EU Commission
European Aluminium
Export restriction necessity
EU Commission
EU Commission sees scrap as a strategic commodity for circularity and decarbonization
European Aluminium
European Aluminium agrees, citing threats to production and investments
- Current idle recycling capacity
- 15% of EU's recycling furnace capacity
- Expected adoption date
- Spring 2026
- Primary driver of shortage
- U.S. tariffs and Asian demand