Top Scrap Metal Recycling Companies

Global Scrap Metal Recycling market size was valued at USD 335.78 Billion in 2024 and is poised to grow from USD 348.2 Billion in 2025 to USD 465.66 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% in the forecast period (2026–2033).

​The global scrap metal recycling market is characterized by strategic expansions, technological advancements, and consolidation among key players. Sims Limited, processing approximately 75% of its volumes in the U.S., reported an underlying profit of USD 35.1 million for the half-year ending December 31, 2024, up from USD 7 million the previous year, despite challenging market conditions. The company is restructuring by divesting non-core assets, including its British recycling business, to focus on more profitable regions. In December 2024, Glencore entered a multi-year agreement with Cyclic Materials to source over 10,000 metric tons of recycled copper annually, enhancing its supply chain amid rising demand for copper in electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors. Aurubis AG is investing €990 million in 2024 to expand its recycling capabilities, including a new facility in Georgia, USA, aiming to process 90,000 metric tons of scrap annually, with plans to double capacity. In India, MSTC Limited, a government-owned entity, reported a net profit of ₹241.96 crore for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, up from ₹199.10 crore the previous year, reflecting its growing role in the domestic recycling sector. These strategic moves underscore the industry's focus on enhancing operational efficiency and securing supply chains to meet the increasing demand for recycled metals.​ 'AIM Recycling', 'ArcelorMittal', 'Aurubis AG', 'CMR Green Technologies Ltd', 'COHEN', 'Greenwave Technology Solutions, Inc.', 'OmniSource, LLC', 'Sims Limited', 'SL Recycling', 'The David J. Joseph Company (Nucor Corporation)', 'TKC Metal Recycling Inc.', 'Kuusakoski Group Oy', 'Metallon Recycling Pte Ltd', 'SA Recycling LLC', 'Commercial Metals Company', 'Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.', 'Tata Steel', 'Radius Recycling, Inc.', 'European Metal Recycling Ltd.', 'Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling'

Global steel production hit 1.89 billion metric tons in 2023 (World Steel Association), driving the demand for cost-effective and sustainable secondary raw materials like scrap metal. As scrap accounts for over 40% of global steelmaking inputs, recycling is increasingly prioritized. For example, in 2023, ArcelorMittal invested USD 300 million in its NA recycling operations to scale up scrap processing, reflecting industry's strategic shift towards circular steel production to reduce emissions and costs.

Growing Use of AI and Automation in Recycling Facilities: Major industry players are adopting AI and sensor-based sorting technologies to enhance metal purity and processing speed. In 2023, Schnitzer Steel Industries deployed AI-powered robotic sorters across its U.S. facilities, increasing throughput efficiency by 20% and reducing contamination rates.

Asia Pacific leads the global scrap metal recycling market, contributing over 55% of the global volume in 2024 (source: World Steel Association). Rapid urbanization, rising manufacturing output, and government mandates for sustainable development have driven the region's dominance. China, Japan, and South Korea are major players due to robust industrial activity and high metal consumption rates. Policies like China’s "14th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy" (2021–2025) are actively promoting metal recycling. Additionally, technological advancements and partnerships between recycling companies and automotive/electronic manufacturers further boost market expansion across the region.