A scrap revolution is coming. Extraordinary demand growth for energy-transition metals will underpin significant investment in recycling. There are many barriers to overcome but the opportunities are vast. So, what's driving the renewed focus on recycling metals' Current market dynamics for secondary metals are incompatible with controlling climate change and securing the supply of critical materials. In many markets, there is still a significant trade imbalance. Take copper as an example. China processes nearly 3.5 million tonnes of copper scrap each year. However, only 60% of it is from domestic sources, with the balance imported. In contrast, North America collects nearly 1.5 million tonnes per annum of secondary copper but over 40% of it is exported. Secondary raw material feed is scarce, trade is being disrupted and prices are volatile. There is also increased environmental, social and governance oversight in the sector, which means building new recycling capacity can be...
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