Emerging 'scrap nationalism' restricts secondary aluminium feedstock movement

As the secondary recycling sector expands toward a projected 41.14 million tonnes by the end of 2026, primary producers are increasingly diversifying into recycling to meet decarbonisation mandates. This shift has triggered protectionist policies globally, with nations implementing export restrictions to treat aluminium scrap as a strategic domestic resource. This 'scrap nationalism' threatens to fragment global secondary sourcing networks and alter regional price premiums.