Scrap Leakage: Why Europe Must Act Now

George Karkampasis, Director – Circular Economy & Raw Materials, highlights the urgent need for Europe to tackle the growing problem of scrap leakage. With aluminium recycling requiring just 5% of the energy needed for primary production, retaining aluminium scrap in Europe is critical for meeting our climate goals, resource efficiency, and strategic autonomy.

Yet, the EU has been a net exporter of aluminium scrap since 2002, sending over 1.2 million tonnes abroad in 2023—often to regions with lower environmental standards. This means Europe is effectively exporting energy and raw materials it desperately needs.

To secure its future, Europe must act. We urge the European Commission to implement export fees, as proposed in the Clean Industrial Deal, and take swift, targeted action to support the aluminium recycling industry—keeping strategic materials within Europe’s circular economy.

📌 Learn more about our work: