New NMO report: aluminium scrap is affecting The Netherlands
The Netherlands Materials Observatory (NMO) has published a new report on the trade in aluminium scrap and the potential implications of European export measures. The publication highlights the factors that determine whether aluminium scrap can play a greater role in European industry, the energy transition and Europe’s strategic autonomy: from trade flows and market developments to recycling capacity and material quality.
Aluminium is recognised as a strategic raw material under the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The material is essential for, amongst other things, electric vehicles, solar panels, electricity grids, aerospace and defence. Recycling can help reduce dependence on primary raw materials and lower CO₂ emissions. However, the quality of the scrap largely determines whether it can be reused in high-quality applications.
European measures concerning aluminium scrap
The European Union (EU) is considering various measures to prevent valuable materials and critical raw materials from flowing out of Europe. These include potential export duties, stricter criteria under the revised EU Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) and discussions on the relationship between the scrap trade and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
What this means for The Netherlands
These developments are relevant to The Netherlands. The Netherlands is a major exporter of aluminium scrap within the EU, but has relatively limited domestic recycling capacity. Changes to European trade rules could therefore affect trade flows, availability and prices. This makes The Netherlands vulnerable to shifts in the market, but also offers opportunities to strengthen its own position.
The report emphasises that keeping more scrap within Europe will only be effective if there is also sufficient capacity and technology available to process different grades of scrap properly. Investment in advanced sorting technologies, supported by appropriate policies, can contribute to high-quality recycling and a stronger circular aluminium supply chain.
Read the full report: The trade dynamics of aluminium scrap: on the potential consequences of EU export measures.