Comments by the President of BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division suggest that 2018 is a very challenging year for scrap traders. Members of the scrap traders industry gathered in Barcelona in early June to discuss recent trends with many wondering on the implications of the fall out from China’s regulatory approach to imports. Many mixed metal processors have moved operations from China to ASEAN and Indian sub-continent countries but are now wondering if other nations might follow China’s lead. The presiding opinion was that the regulatory issues in China are not going to go away as the country looks to establish and develop its own recycling industry, with domestic arisings growing exponentially.
Dhawal Shat of Indian based Metco marketing confirmed that the Indian government had relaxed its approach of recent times by exempting waste and scrap (shredded and unshredded) coming from the USWQ, the EU, Canada, New Zealand and Australia from pre-shipment inspection certificate requirements, on condition that shipments are cleared through the ports of Chennai, Tuticorin, Kandla, JNPT, Mumbai or Krishnapatnam. The move is in line with the Indian government’s ambition to make business easier and to bring down costs.
The increased difficulties in shipping scrap to certain parts of the world have triggered recycling investments in many exporting countries by scrap traders. Many suppliers of equipment to the industry have full order books with many already out until the middle of next year.
Recycal continue to invest in the metal processing capabilities of their business with a substantial upgrade of their Tasmanian operation and further upgrades to their mainland capacity. Managing Director, Doug Rowe said, “With the changing global market situation and the changes that are being motivated by China we have to do more to improve our recycling industries in Australia”. “Recycal and its sister company, CMA Ecocycle will continue to invest as we see the industry needing to cope with higher levels of scrap which must be processed efficiently and effectively to assist our customers”.
