The European Union (EU) has paused plans for a proposed 15% duty on aluminium scrap exports and is considering controls under its environmental rules instead.
European Aluminium confirmed the change in a 7 September letter to the European Commission, after the industry had spent several months discussing the proposed trade measure with officials.
The association says the replacement approach may not provide equivalent coverage across export destinations and aluminium scrap categories. It has called for further discussions with the commission over how European recyclers and smelters can retain access to scrap.
People familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that concerns about the EU’s proposed free trade agreement with India contributed to the decision.
India accounts for about one-third of EU aluminium scrap exports and was among 91 countries and territories exempted under a draft version of the duty. The industry had sought a 30% levy, compared with the 15% rate considered by the European Commission.
The commission says it believes similar objectives could be pursued through the EU’s Waste Shipment Regulation.
From 21 May 2027, exports of non-hazardous waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will generally be prohibited unless the destination demonstrates that it can manage the material under specified environmental standards.
European Aluminium maintains that environmental controls should complement rather than replace a targeted trade measure.
EU aluminium scrap exports have risen by 51% since 2019, reaching a record 1.26 million tonnes in 2025. The material is remelted into secondary aluminium used across the transport, packaging, construction, and manufacturing industries.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: European Aluminium
