Asia’s aluminium scrap market overview

4 September 2025: In July, imports of aluminium scrap into China surged by 18.39%, to 160 thousand tonnes (kt), contributing to a rise of 8.02% over the first seven months year-on-year, to 1.17 million tonnes (Mt) amid increased demand. Shipments from Thailand to China totalled 299kt in January-July against 162k during the same period last year. The second-largest supplier was the United Kingdom, with 139kt delivered over the same period, up from 114kt. 

In the meantime, shipments to South Korea and Thailand in July fell drastically, reaching 80kt and 54kt, a decline of 12.44% and 25.92%, respectively. Thai demand was heavily affected by the government's actions against illegal recycling operations. However, while year-to-day shipments in Korea rose by 3.17%, to 547kt, in Thailand they inched up by 1.64%, to 436kt.

The sharpest increase in imports was recorded in Hong Kong, with 60kt delivered in July and 436kt over the first seven months, up by 32.18% and 32.75%, respectively, as some volumes were redirected from nearby markets due to tighter regulations. 

The detailed report is available on TES.