China’s aluminium scrap imports in the first two months of 2024 see an annual increase of 19%

Malaysia was the highest exporter of aluminium scrap to China, with 54,000 tonnes of volume, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the latter's total imports during January-February. Thailand was the second-highest exporter with 39,000 tonnes, accounting for 13.6 per cent, followed by Japan with the export volume of 30,000 tonnes, accounting for 10.4 per cent, and the UK and the US with a combined 46,200 tonnes, accounting for 16 per cent. 

Guangdong and Zhejiang were the primary receivers of the imported aluminium scrap in January-February. While the former imported 189,600 tonnes during the said period, accounting for 65.7 per cent of China's total imports, the latter imported 67,600 tonnes, which accounted for 23.4 per cent of the total imports.

Recently, China has emerged as a major hub of aluminium scrap processing, with annual imports at the forefront of the world. The increased imports of scrap into China, owing to insufficient domestic policies for the export/import of metal scrap, adversely affect the country's environment.