In 2004, raw material supply to the Western European aluminium recycling industry continued to be problematic. Russian export duties of 50% on aluminium scrap, the Ukrainian export ban on aluminium scrap and scrap exports to China, which have increased 5.5% up to approximately 280 000 tonnes, jeopardised the supply and profitability of the European aluminium refiners and remelters. Total recycling includes refining production and tolled and purchased scrap intake of remelters. In 2003, total recycled aluminium increased 4.3% compared to the previous year. The refiners' results for 2004, although still preliminary, show that the production of refining increased 3.5% compared to 2003.
Evolution of aluminium recycling in Western Europe* (1980-2004)
Scrap intake to refiners and remelters in Western Europe* (2003)
Old / New ration
Tolled / Purchased ration
In 2003, a total of 4.1 million tonnes of tolled and purchased scrap were melted in Western Europe, of which 2.5 million tonnes by means of refining and 1.6 million tonnes by remelting. The share of old scrap reached 28% while new scrap was at 49%, approximately 960 000 tonnes have yet to be identified as new or old scrap. From the companies reporting for 2003, it can be concluded that only 8% of the refiners scrap intake is in form of tolled scrap, while for remelters this ratio is 43%.
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