EU to propose total ban on waste exports, including aluminium scrap, to Non-OECD countries
2026-09-07 11:23:44 [Print]
The European Union is set to propose a comprehensive ban on waste exports to non-OECD countries, covering materials such as aluminium scrap, according to a statement released Friday by the cabinet of EU industry chief Stephane Sejourne.
Sejourne had been expected to present long-awaited trade measures on September 23, which would have imposed only limited restrictions on aluminium scrap exports. However, the proposal has now been withdrawn in favour of a more far-reaching approach.
"During internal discussions, it became clear that the originally proposed tool would only cover about half of scrap exports. As a result, the Executive Vice-President has decided to withdraw that proposal and pursue a new one, independent of traditional trade instruments," the statement explained.
The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) comprises mostly high-income nations and does not include key destinations for EU waste, such as China and India, which are major importers of scrap metal and other recyclable materials.
Scrap metal serves as a crucial feedstock for Europe's struggling smelting industry and is central to the sector's decarbonisation strategy. Recycling aluminium, for instance, consumes 95% less energy than producing the metal from virgin bauxite ore, underscoring the strategic importance of keeping scrap within the EU.
Sejourne had been expected to present long-awaited trade measures on September 23, which would have imposed only limited restrictions on aluminium scrap exports. However, the proposal has now been withdrawn in favour of a more far-reaching approach.
"During internal discussions, it became clear that the originally proposed tool would only cover about half of scrap exports. As a result, the Executive Vice-President has decided to withdraw that proposal and pursue a new one, independent of traditional trade instruments," the statement explained.
The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) comprises mostly high-income nations and does not include key destinations for EU waste, such as China and India, which are major importers of scrap metal and other recyclable materials.
Scrap metal serves as a crucial feedstock for Europe's struggling smelting industry and is central to the sector's decarbonisation strategy. Recycling aluminium, for instance, consumes 95% less energy than producing the metal from virgin bauxite ore, underscoring the strategic importance of keeping scrap within the EU.
Aluminum Scrap Profile 90%min Ex-VAT Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt
China alumina producers' sales volume statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
