Market overview
The global metal recycling market is worth USD 312 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 485 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Ferrous scrap is the largest by metal segment.
| Scope | Processed ferrous and non-ferrous scrap sold to steel mills, smelters and foundries: steel, aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel and precious metal scrap. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 300 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 312 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 485 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 710 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 999 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 439 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Metal Recycling market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 312 bn |
| 2027 | USD 326 bn |
| 2028 | USD 341 bn |
| 2029 | USD 356 bn |
| 2030 | USD 372 bn |
| 2031 | USD 389 bn |
| 2032 | USD 406 bn |
| 2033 | USD 425 bn |
| 2034 | USD 444 bn |
| 2035 | USD 464 bn |
| 2036 | USD 485 bn |
Metal Recycling market segmentation
By metal
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrous scrap | 66.0% | 65.5% | USD 206 bn | 4.4% |
| Aluminium scrap | 12.0% | 13.1% | USD 37.4 bn | 5.4% |
| Copper and brass scrap | 12.0% | 11.9% | USD 37.4 bn | 4.4% |
| Lead and zinc | 10.0% | 9.5% | USD 31.2 bn | 3.9% |
By source
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial and manufacturing scrap | 38.0% | 36.2% | USD 119 bn | 4.0% |
| End-of-life vehicles | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 68.6 bn | 4.5% |
| Construction and demolition | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 68.6 bn | 4.5% |
| Electronics and consumer | 18.0% | 19.8% | USD 56.2 bn | 5.5% |
By buyer industry
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel mills and EAF | 46.0% | 44.0% | USD 144 bn | 4.0% |
| Smelters and refiners | 30.0% | 31.0% | USD 93.6 bn | 4.8% |
| Foundries and remelters | 24.0% | 25.0% | USD 74.9 bn | 4.9% |
By scrap grade
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime and new scrap | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 87.4 bn | 3.7% |
| Old and obsolete scrap | 52.0% | 54.0% | USD 162 bn | 4.9% |
| Mixed and low-grade | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 62.4 bn | 4.5% |
By processing stage
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection and sorting | 24.0% | 22.0% | USD 74.9 bn | 3.6% |
| Shredding and processing | 46.0% | 44.0% | USD 144 bn | 4.0% |
| Secondary refining | 30.0% | 34.0% | USD 93.6 bn | 5.8% |
Top 25 countries for metal recycling by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 73.7% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 84.2 bn | 27.0% | USD 125 bn | 4.1% |
| 2 | United States | USD 40.6 bn | 13.0% | USD 57.7 bn | 3.6% |
| 3 | Turkey | USD 21.8 bn | 7.0% | USD 35.9 bn | 5.1% |
| 4 | India | USD 18.7 bn | 6.0% | USD 44.6 bn | 9.1% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 15.6 bn | 5.0% | USD 20.4 bn | 2.7% |
| 6 | Germany | USD 14.0 bn | 4.5% | USD 18.9 bn | 3.0% |
| 7 | South Korea | USD 10.9 bn | 3.5% | USD 15.5 bn | 3.6% |
| 8 | Italy | USD 9.4 bn | 3.0% | USD 12.6 bn | 3.0% |
| 9 | Vietnam | USD 7.8 bn | 2.5% | USD 15.5 bn | 7.1% |
| 10 | Russia | USD 6.9 bn | 2.2% | USD 9.7 bn | 3.5% |
| 11 | France | USD 6.6 bn | 2.1% | USD 10.2 bn | 4.5% |
| 12 | United Kingdom | USD 6.3 bn | 2.0% | USD 9.7 bn | 4.5% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 6.0 bn | 1.9% | USD 9.3 bn | 4.5% |
| 14 | Canada | USD 5.7 bn | 1.8% | USD 8.8 bn | 4.4% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 5.1 bn | 1.6% | USD 7.8 bn | 4.4% |
| 16 | Brazil | USD 4.7 bn | 1.5% | USD 7.3 bn | 4.5% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 4.4 bn | 1.4% | USD 6.8 bn | 4.5% |
| 18 | Poland | USD 3.8 bn | 1.2% | USD 5.8 bn | 4.4% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 3.5 bn | 1.1% | USD 5.3 bn | 4.4% |
| 20 | Netherlands | USD 3.2 bn | 1.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 4.4% |
| 21 | Thailand | USD 3.2 bn | 1.0% | USD 5.6 bn | 5.9% |
| 22 | Indonesia | USD 2.8 bn | 0.9% | USD 5.0 bn | 5.9% |
| 23 | Pakistan | USD 2.5 bn | 0.8% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.8% |
| 24 | Bangladesh | USD 2.5 bn | 0.8% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.8% |
| 25 | Egypt | USD 2.2 bn | 0.7% | USD 3.4 bn | 4.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 19.7 bn | 6.3% | USD 29.6 bn | 4.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Sims Limited
- Schnitzer Steel (Radius Recycling)
- Commercial Metals Company
- European Metal Recycling
- Nucor
- SA Recycling
- Gerdau
- Scholz Recycling
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Aurubis
- Cohen
- OmniSource
- Stena Metall
- Chiho Environmental
- Derichebourg Environnement
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Kuusakoski
- Galloo
- Metalico
- Ferrous Processing and Trading
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the metal recycling market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by metal, by source, by buyer industry, by scrap grade, by processing stage. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the metal recycling market?
The global metal recycling market is estimated at USD 300 bn in 2025 and USD 312 bn in 2026.
How fast will the metal recycling market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 485 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 173 bn.
Which country is the largest market for metal recycling?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 84.2 bn in 2026, 27.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which metal recycling segment is largest?
In the by metal split, Ferrous scrap is the largest segment with 66.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading metal recycling companies?
Global leaders include Sims Limited, Schnitzer Steel (Radius Recycling), Commercial Metals Company, European Metal Recycling.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Chemicals and Materials
- CopperUSD 278 bn · 3.8% CAGR
- Refined CopperUSD 278 bn · 4.2% CAGR
- CementUSD 367 bn · 3.0% CAGR
- GoldUSD 443 bn · 3.0% CAGR
- Alloy SteelUSD 218 bn · 4.2% CAGR
- AluminiumUSD 212 bn · 3.0% CAGR
- Primary AluminiumUSD 198 bn · 3.5% CAGR
- FertilizersUSD 195 bn · 3.2% CAGR