Impact of Relaxed Standards for Imported Recycled Aluminum Raw Materials on China’s Recycled Aluminum Market
On October 23, 2024, the General Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment officially released a policy aimed at promoting the high-quality development of the recycled metal industry. This policy standardizes the import management of recycled copper and aluminum raw materials (hereinafter referred to as “recycled copper and aluminum materials”). Under the new regulations, recycled copper and aluminum materials that meet the specified requirements are no longer classified as solid waste and can be imported freely.
This policy introduces new categories of imported scrap aluminum, with revised standards and criteria for inspection. Effective from November 15, 2024, deformed aluminum alloy raw materials and recycled pure aluminum raw materials will be allowed entry into the Chinese market. The updated version of the standards sets a physical aluminum or aluminum alloy content requirement of ≥91%, along with more detailed classification indicators.
