Metal Recycling Market by Type (Ferrous Metals, Non-Ferrous Metals), Scrap Type (Old Scrap, New Scrap), Equipment Used (Shredder, Shear, Granulation Machine, Briquetting Machine), End-Use Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

Metal Recycling Market by Type (Ferrous Metals, Non-Ferrous Metals), Scrap Type (Old Scrap, New Scrap), Equipment Used (Shredder, Shear, Granulation Machine, Briquetting Machine), End-Use Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

The metal recycling market size is estimated to be USD 551.9 billion in 2024, and it is projected to reach USD 767.9 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.8%. The rising demand for consumer electronics is significantly driving the growth of the metal recycling market. As the production and consumption of devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and household appliances increase, so does the generation of electronic waste (e-waste). These devices contain valuable metals like copper, aluminum, gold, and silver, which can be recovered and recycled. Recycling metals from e-waste is crucial for conserving natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of mining and processing new metals. The high turnover rate of consumer electronics, due to rapid technological advancements and the frequent release of new models, creates a constant supply of obsolete devices ready for recycling. Governments and environmental organizations are enforcing stricter regulations and promoting initiatives to manage e-waste, encouraging recycling practices among both consumers and manufacturers. This regulatory support, along with growing environmental awareness among consumers, is boosting the metal recycling market. Thus, the increasing demand for consumer electronics leads to more e-waste, driving the need for efficient recycling processes to recover valuable metals. This trend supports the growth of the metal recycling market by ensuring a steady supply of recyclable materials and promoting sustainable practices in the electronics industry.

“By Type, Non-Ferrous Metals Segment Accounted for the Second Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period.”

Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain significant amounts of iron, making them more malleable, lighter, and resistant to corrosion compared to ferrous metals. Common non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, tin, nickel, and precious metals like gold and silver. Non-ferrous metals have a wide range of applications. Aluminum is used in aircraft, automotive parts, packaging, construction materials, and consumer electronics. Copper is essential for electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, and industrial machinery. Lead finds use in batteries, radiation shielding, and certain types of glass and ceramics. Zinc is used for galvanizing steel, in alloys like brass, and in die-casting for automotive and electrical industries. Tin is commonly used in solder for electronics, as a coating for steel cans, and in various alloys. Nickel is utilized in stainless steel production, batteries (particularly for electric vehicles), and superalloys for aerospace applications. Gold and silver are prized for jewelry, electronics due to their excellent conductivity, medical devices, and as investment commodities. These properties make non-ferrous metals indispensable in modern technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

“By End-Use Industry, Equipment manufacturing End-Use Industry Segment Accounted For The Third Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period.”

Several factors contribute to the expansion of the equipment manufacturing end-use industry within the metal recycling market. There is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental awareness among equipment manufacturers. Utilizing recycled metals in manufacturing aligns with these principles, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to virgin materials. Recycling metals often proves more economical than sourcing new materials, leading to savings in raw material procurement, production, and waste disposal costs for manufacturers. Advancements in recycling technologies improve the quality and availability of recycled metals, making them increasingly viable for manufacturing high-quality equipment. Innovations in sorting, shredding, and purification processes enable the recovery of pure metals with properties comparable to virgin materials. Regulatory initiatives and government policies promoting recycling and circular economy principles incentivize equipment manufacturers to integrate recycled metals into their production processes. Consumer preferences for eco-friendly products influence equipment manufacturers to prioritize sustainability. Using recycled metals allows manufacturers to meet these expectations, enhancing their brand reputation and market competitiveness. Thus, the growth of the equipment manufacturing industry within the metal recycling market is driven by sustainability concerns, cost-effectiveness, technological advancements, regulatory incentives, and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. These factors collectively contribute to the increasing adoption of recycled metals in equipment manufacturing, fostering a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

“North America is accounted third larget market for Metal recycling in 2023.”

The North America region is accounted third larget in the Metal recycling market. This growth encompasses countries like US, Canada, and Mexico.

The North American metal recycling market experiences growth and development influenced by various drivers, trends, and factors. Stringent environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives push industries to adopt recycling practices, aiming to minimize waste and preserve resources. The region's robust industrial sector generates significant amounts of metal scrap, ensuring a steady supply for recycling processes. Technological advancements in recycling technologies enhance efficiency and promote the utilization of recycled metals across various applications. Economic factors, including cost-effectiveness and the increasing demand for sustainable products, further stimulate the growth of the metal recycling market in North America.

In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the Metal recycling market.

By Company Type: Tier 1: 40%, Tier 2: 25%, and Tier 3: 35%

By Designation: C Level: 35%, Director Level: 30%, and Others: 35%

By Region: North America: 25%, Europe: 20%, APAC: 45%, Middle East & Africa: 5%, and South America: 5%

Companies Covered: The global Metal recycling market comprises major manufacturers, such as ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), Nucor (US), CMC (US), Sims Limited (Australia), Aurubis AG (Germany), Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japan), Tata Steel (India), Radius Recycling, Inc. (US), European Metal Recycling Ltd. (UK), and Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling (US), among others.

Research Coverage

The market study covers the metal recycling market across various segments. It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across different segments based on type, scrap type, end-use industry, and region. The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of key players in the market, their company profiles, key observations related to their products and business offerings, recent developments undertaken by them, and key growth strategies adopted by them to improve their position in the metal recycling market.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report is expected to help the market leaders/new entrants in this market share the closest approximations of the revenue numbers of the overall metal recycling market and its segments and sub-segments. This report is projected to help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape of the market, gain insights to improve the position of their businesses, and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also aims to help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on the key market drivers, challenges, and opportunities.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Analysis of key drivers (Growth of automotive industry, Increasing demand for consumer electronics, and Urbanization and infrastructure development), restraints (Disorganized metal waste collection in developing countries), opportunities (Recovering metals from slag residue) and challenges (Growing complexity of products poses challenges to recycling efforts).

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product & service launches in the metal recycling market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets – the report analyses the metal recycling market across varied regions

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products & services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Metal recycling market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players like ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), Nucor (US), CMC (US), Sims Limited (Australia), Aurubis AG (Germany), Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japan), Tata Steel (India), Radius Recycling, Inc. (US), European Metal Recycling Ltd. (UK), and Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling (US), among others in the metal recycling market. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the Metal recycling market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.