Assofermet: No risk of scrap shortage in the EU, JRC report confirms

The Italian steel and metals association ASSOFERMET has welcomed the findings of the latest reports issued by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), which confirm that the EU’s ferrous scrap supply will continue to exceed domestic demand for the foreseeable future.

The new JRC study, “Analysis of the EU steel supply chain: characterisation and use of EU ferrous scrap in relation to global trade volumes,” updates earlier research on circularity and recycling trends in Europe’s steel sector. Both reports conclude that the availability of ferrous scrap in the EU remains well above the consumption levels of European steel producers and that surplus volumes are expected to increase through 2035, even as circularity grows.

ASSOFERMET said the data reaffirm its long-standing position that there is no evidence of an imminent or future scrap shortage in the EU — countering arguments made in recent public debates on potential export restrictions.

The association also noted that, according to the JRC, 87% of EU-exported scrap consists of medium- to low-grade material that has already undergone recovery and treatment processes. “To ensure continued improvement in scrap quality, we need targeted policy instruments that actively support recycling companies,” ASSOFERMET stated. “Investments in advanced and AI-enabled recycling technologies must be encouraged so that the European steel industry can access the grades it requires — with fair and sustainable remuneration.”

ASSOFERMET reaffirmed that Europe’s recycling sector is already making substantial private investments in upgrading facilities and that policy support, not export restrictions, will be key to maintaining competitiveness and quality in the EU scrap supply chain.

Source: Assorfermet, Photo: Fotolia