EU Weighs Aluminium Scrap Export Curbs
A European Initiative for Energy Security report recommends restricting aluminium scrap exports to keep resources for battery production in Europe.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in International Trade
The European Initiative for Energy Security published a report on 10 November recommending EU export restrictions on aluminium scrap. The European Commission is drafting a delegated act to control aluminium scrap exports outside Europe.
Why it matters
The report argues that scrap is needed in Europe for battery production, and that foreign buyers paying up to 26% more than European processors draw material away from local use. The debate also touches on trade ties with India, which accounts for around a third of EU scrap metal exports.
Aluminium scrap exports hit a record 1.26 million tonnes in 2025, with foreign buyers offering up to 26% more than European processors. India accounts for roughly one third of EU scrap metal exports, but the scope of any controls on it remains unresolved.
The players
European Initiative for Energy Security
A European policy group that published a report recommending EU export restrictions on aluminium scrap to support battery production.
European Commission
The executive arm of the European Union, which is drafting a delegated act to control aluminium scrap exports outside Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen
The President of the European Commission, whose cabinet is pressing for India to be exempted from export controls ahead of a free trade agreement.
The details
The report proposes phasing in export restrictions as new processing capacity is developed in Europe, and calls for recycled-content requirements and clearer rules of origin. In early September the Commission dropped a specific legislative proposal and opted instead for a delegated act to control exports of waste to non-OECD countries, which will be subject to public consultation before adoption.
Timeline
Early September: Commission dropped its legislative proposal on aluminium scrap export controls.
4 November: Co-legislators met on the Critical Materials Centre.
10 November: The European Initiative for Energy Security published its report.
The delegated act is due to be presented in 2026 and is expected to be adopted before the end of the year.
Market Dynamics
The Commission's choice of a delegated act over a standalone legislative proposal shapes how quickly scrap export limits could take effect. The move reflects a broader push to keep critical raw materials inside the EU as competition for scrap from foreign smelters intensifies.
Companies that buy or sell aluminium scrap, including recyclers and smelters, could face changing costs and export options depending on the final scope of any controls. Investors tracking metals markets should watch whether restrictions apply to major buyers such as India.
The takeaway
Export rules on recyclable metals can shift prices and supply chains quickly, so changes in trade policy on scrap are worth following closely. Readers in metals-linked industries should track the delegated act's consultation and final terms.
What happens next
The European Commission is expected to present its delegated act on aluminium scrap export controls in 2026, with adoption targeted before the end of that year after a public consultation.
Further reading
For broader context on cross-border commodity rules, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.
