Steel

The European Commission has activated the customs surveillance system to monitor the import and export of metal waste and scrap into and out of the EU, covering ferrous waste and scrap (including steel), aluminium and copper.

Cometfer is an Italian company in the scrap sector, supplying more than 500 companies, workshops and industrial units.

As policymakers around the world define what constitutes “green steel,” the BIR is urging a fair and science-based approach – one that accurately reflects emissions performance and ensures that the full benefits of recycling are recognised in the transition to a decarbonised steel sector.

Steel for Packaging Europe has confirmed the highest ever EU recycling rate for steel packaging, bringing the steel packaging sector even closer to fully closing the material loop.

The latest World Shredder List compiled by BIR indicates a global total of 1229 machines of 1000 HP or larger. According to BIR Shredder Committee Chairman Alton Scott Newell III of US-based Newell Recycling Equipment, this figure comprises 322 installations in the USA, 267 in the EU/EFTA and 640 throughout the rest of the world — including 380 in China, 110 in Japan, 29 in the UK, 27 in Canada and 25 in Mexico.

From reducing CO2 emissions to saving the use of trillions of litres of water, the environmental benefits of making crude steel from recycled steel were presented at BIR’s World Recycling Convention in Valencia. The benefits featured in a new study for BIR and were among discussion topics at a meeting of BIR’s Ferrous Division on 26 May. This was chaired by Shane Mellor, the division’s President and Managing Director of Mellor Metals (GBR).

At the BIR Ferrous Division meeting in Valencia, Divisional President Shane Mellor announced the release of the 16th edition of “World Steel Recycling in Figures”, covering the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.

World crude steel production for the 69 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) was 155.7 million tonnes (Mt) in April 2025, a 0.3% decrease compared to April 2024.

Two brothers, who head up Hudei Metals, are using their company to set new standards in scrap sorting and demonstrate how recycling is becoming a key resource for India’s sustainable growth.

Steel is vital to modern society, with diverse alloys serving critical applications. Buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles constitute 75% of global steel usage, with global demand projected to increase. However, the industry generates 7-9% of global CO2 emissions, making it a challenging but essential sector for decarbonization efforts.

The BIR and EuRIC acknowledge the European Commission’s publication of the European Steel and Metals Action Plan yesterday. As global and European representatives of the recycling industry, we appreciate the Commission’s efforts to support the competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s metals sector.