Recycling needs open markets

Metal recycling is central to the decarbonisation of industry, particularly steel production. As the shift toward electric steel mills continues, scrap is expected to satisfy the majority of raw material demand. In the UK, where all steel production is planned to be based on scrap as of 2025, recycled steel is increasingly regarded as a strategic resource. In this context, political calls for export restrictions are gaining traction. While intended to secure domestic supply, such measures would jeopardise an industry that currently sells 70-80 per cent of its products overseas. The study "Assessing the impact of potential restrictions on UK recycled metals exports - an evidence-based assessment for the British Metals Recycling Association", conducted by Sheffield Hallam University for the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), examined the possible consequences of such restrictions. It combines economic modelling with surveys of businesses to illuminate the overall effects on value added and employment, as well as to present the perspectives of the various companies involved. The aim is to provide an evidence-based foundation for discussions about the role of recycling in the transformation of the British steel industry.