Project Director: Will Eadson
Project Duration: 2025
Shifts towards lower-carbon steel production - especially adoption of Electric Arc Furnaces, which use recycled steel - are set to drive new demand for scrap metal, making it a critical resource for low carbon futures.
As part of our programme of research on 'greening' the steel industry, this project sought to understand different ways that changing demand for recycled metal might impact on the metals recycling sector.
Currently, UK domestic demand for recycled metal is limited, leading to around 80% being exported. However, planned investments in EAFs at sites like Port Talbot and Scunthorpe could change this, opening new market opportunities.
Growing focus on emissions has prompted discussion conversation about further processing requirements to ensure recycled metals meet revised specifications. It has also led to some debate about whether recycled metal - as a nationally strategic resource - should be subject to more stringent export controls.
In this context, our initial rapid assessment set out to understand:
- the economic impact of changing export levels for the sector and UK economy (GVA and jobs)
- business perceptions about changing market conditions, including possible changes to export controls
The research aims to support the sector, government and other stakeholders to find effective responses to the changing context for UK metals recycling. Further research is planned building from our initial project.
