Market overview
The global scrap metal trading market is worth USD 279 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 394 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Ferrous scrap is the largest by metal segment.
| Scope | Purchase, sorting, processing and sale of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal by dealers and recyclers to mills, foundries and smelters, valued at selling prices. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 270 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 279 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 394 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 533 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 680 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 524 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Scrap Metal Trading market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 279 bn |
| 2027 | USD 289 bn |
| 2028 | USD 299 bn |
| 2029 | USD 310 bn |
| 2030 | USD 321 bn |
| 2031 | USD 332 bn |
| 2032 | USD 344 bn |
| 2033 | USD 356 bn |
| 2034 | USD 368 bn |
| 2035 | USD 381 bn |
| 2036 | USD 394 bn |
Scrap Metal Trading 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 | 46.0% | 43.3% | USD 129 bn | 2.9% |
| Aluminium | 18.0% | 19.6% | USD 50.3 bn | 4.4% |
| Copper and brass | 24.0% | 24.9% | USD 67.1 bn | 3.9% |
| Stainless steel and nickel alloys | 8.0% | 8.3% | USD 22.4 bn | 3.9% |
| Other non-ferrous | 4.0% | 4.0% | USD 11.2 bn | 3.4% |
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 scrap | 34.0% | 32.7% | USD 95.0 bn | 3.1% |
| End-of-life vehicles | 22.0% | 22.2% | USD 61.5 bn | 3.6% |
| Construction and demolition | 18.0% | 17.3% | USD 50.3 bn | 3.1% |
| Electronic and electrical waste | 14.0% | 16.3% | USD 39.1 bn | 5.1% |
| Household and other | 12.0% | 11.5% | USD 33.5 bn | 3.1% |
By buyer
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel mills | 46.0% | 44.4% | USD 129 bn | 3.1% |
| Foundries | 12.0% | 12.2% | USD 33.5 bn | 3.6% |
| Smelters and refiners | 30.0% | 31.9% | USD 83.8 bn | 4.1% |
| Exporters and traders | 12.0% | 11.6% | USD 33.5 bn | 3.1% |
By scrap grade
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy melting and shredded | 44.0% | 41.0% | USD 123 bn | 2.8% |
| Bundled, turnings and borings | 18.0% | 17.0% | USD 50.3 bn | 2.9% |
| Clean and high-grade | 26.0% | 29.0% | USD 72.7 bn | 4.6% |
| Mixed and low-grade | 12.0% | 13.0% | USD 33.5 bn | 4.3% |
By trade flow
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic sales | 56.0% | 54.0% | USD 156 bn | 3.1% |
| Exports | 26.0% | 26.0% | USD 72.7 bn | 3.5% |
| Imports | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 50.3 bn | 4.6% |
Top 25 countries for scrap metal trading by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 76.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.8%.
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 61.5 bn | 22.0% | USD 91.1 bn | 4.0% |
| 2 | United States | USD 39.1 bn | 14.0% | USD 50.1 bn | 2.5% |
| 3 | Turkey | USD 22.4 bn | 8.0% | USD 30.0 bn | 3.0% |
| 4 | India | USD 19.6 bn | 7.0% | USD 33.5 bn | 5.5% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 16.8 bn | 6.0% | USD 19.3 bn | 1.4% |
| 6 | Germany | USD 14.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 17.7 bn | 2.4% |
| 7 | South Korea | USD 11.2 bn | 4.0% | USD 15.0 bn | 3.0% |
| 8 | Italy | USD 11.2 bn | 4.0% | USD 14.2 bn | 2.4% |
| 9 | Vietnam | USD 8.4 bn | 3.0% | USD 15.0 bn | 6.0% |
| 10 | Mexico | USD 8.4 bn | 3.0% | USD 12.6 bn | 4.2% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | USD 8.0 bn | 2.9% | USD 11.2 bn | 3.3% |
| 12 | France | USD 5.7 bn | 2.0% | USD 7.9 bn | 3.3% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 4.6 bn | 1.6% | USD 6.3 bn | 3.3% |
| 14 | Netherlands | USD 3.9 bn | 1.4% | USD 5.4 bn | 3.3% |
| 15 | Belgium | USD 3.5 bn | 1.2% | USD 4.8 bn | 3.3% |
| 16 | Canada | USD 3.1 bn | 1.1% | USD 4.3 bn | 3.3% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 2.9 bn | 1.0% | USD 4.0 bn | 3.3% |
| 18 | Thailand | USD 2.7 bn | 1.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 4.3% |
| 19 | Pakistan | USD 2.5 bn | 0.9% | USD 3.8 bn | 4.3% |
| 20 | Egypt | USD 2.4 bn | 0.8% | USD 3.6 bn | 4.3% |
| 21 | Brazil | USD 2.2 bn | 0.8% | USD 3.1 bn | 3.4% |
| 22 | Poland | USD 2.2 bn | 0.8% | USD 3.0 bn | 3.4% |
| 23 | Malaysia | USD 2.0 bn | 0.7% | USD 3.1 bn | 4.3% |
| 24 | Indonesia | USD 2.0 bn | 0.7% | USD 3.0 bn | 4.3% |
| 25 | Russia | USD 1.9 bn | 0.7% | USD 2.6 bn | 3.4% |
| Rest of world | USD 17.5 bn | 6.2% | USD 25.4 bn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Sims
- European Metal Recycling
- Radius Recycling
- OmniSource
- Derichebourg
- Stena Metall
- SA Recycling
- David J. Joseph Company
- Alba Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Commercial Metals Company
- Aurubis
- Kuusakoski
- Galloo
- Novelis
- Gerdau
- ELG Haniel Metals
- Scholz Recycling
- Toyota Tsusho
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Chiho Environmental Group
- Recykal
- Scrapuncle
- Metalshub
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 scrap metal trading 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 3.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by metal, by source, by buyer, by scrap grade, by trade flow. 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 scrap metal trading market?
The global scrap metal trading market is estimated at USD 270 bn in 2025 and USD 279 bn in 2026.
How fast will the scrap metal trading market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 394 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 115 bn.
Which country is the largest market for scrap metal trading?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 61.5 bn in 2026, 22.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Vietnam is growing fastest at 6.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which scrap metal trading segment is largest?
In the by metal split, Ferrous scrap is the largest segment with 46.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading scrap metal trading companies?
Global leaders include Sims, European Metal Recycling, Radius Recycling, OmniSource.
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