The Global Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Market was valued at USD 853.28 Million in 2021 and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.66% through to 2027. This robust growth is fueled by the escalating demand for aluminum, copper, and other non-ferrous metals in sectors like electronics, automotive, and construction, coupled with stringent environmental regulations and a global push toward achieving a circular economy.

As industries worldwide intensify their focus on sustainability and resource efficiency, the role of non-ferrous metal recyclers has become critically important. These companies are not just waste processors; they are key enablers of a greener supply chain, transforming industrial by-products and end-of-life goods back into valuable raw materials. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Industry—a diverse group of global leaders and specialized processors shaping the future of resource recovery.

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🔟 1. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Recycling of Precious Metals, Cobalt, Nickel, and other specialty metals

Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group, renowned for its advanced closed-loop recycling solutions. The company specializes in extracting valuable metals from complex waste streams, including spent automotive catalysts, lithium-ion batteries, and electronic scrap.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering battery recycling technologies for the electric vehicle industry

• A commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2035 (Scope 1 & 2 emissions)

• World-class precious metals refining with high recovery rates

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9️⃣ 2. Sims Metal

Headquarters: New York, USA, and Melbourne, Australia
Key Offering: Ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling, electronics recycling (Sims Lifecycle Services)

Sims Metal is one of the world’s largest metal and electronics recyclers, operating across North America, Australasia, and the UK. The company processes millions of metric tons of recyclable materials annually, supplying secondary raw materials to global markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Global leader in ESG performance within the recycling sector

• Investing in advanced sorting technologies to improve metal recovery

• Comprehensive data security and IT asset disposition services

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8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Battery materials recycling, Catalyst regeneration and recycling

BASF’s recycling activities are a core component of its circular economy strategy, focusing on creating closed-loop systems for battery materials and chemical catalysts. The company is establishing a robust battery recycling footprint in Europe and Asia to support the EV revolution.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing Europe’s first co-located center for battery materials production and recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany

• Strategic partnerships with automakers and battery producers for end-of-life battery take-back programs

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7️⃣ 4. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Precious metal refining, Catalytic converter recycling, Circular solutions

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, with a well-established precious metal recycling division. The company recovers platinum, palladium, and rhodium from spent automotive catalysts and industrial applications, feeding these critical materials back into the manufacturing supply chain.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Advanced smelting and refining processes that minimize environmental impact

• Focus on creating circular loops for critical materials in automotive and chemical sectors

• Net-zero commitments aligned with a 1.5°C climate pathway

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Non-ferrous metal smelting, Electronic scrap recycling, Eco-System for resource circulation

DOWA Holdings is a leading Japanese company with a vertically integrated business model that spans from metal recycling to the production of high-purity metals and advanced materials. The company’s Eco-System promotes a sustainable cycle for non-ferrous metals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Highly efficient closed-loop recycling systems for electronics and automotive sectors

• Development of technologies to recover rare and minor metals from urban mines

• Active role in formulating Japan’s resource circulation policies

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5️⃣ 6. Aurubis AG

Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
Key Offering: Copper and precious metal recycling, Multi-metal recycling from complex raw materials

Aurubis is Europe’s largest copper producer and one of the world’s leading copper recyclers. The company’s sophisticated metallurgical processes allow it to extract copper, gold, silver, and other metals from a wide range of recycling materials with exceptional efficiency.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Over 50% of raw materials used are from recycled sources

• Industry-leading metal recovery rates from electronic scrap and other complex residues

• Comprehensive sustainability strategy with ambitious CO2 reduction targets

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4️⃣ 7. EMR (European Metal Recycling)

Headquarters: Manchester, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling, End-of-Life Vehicle processing

EMR is a global leader in metal recycling, operating over 170 facilities worldwide. The company has a significant presence in non-ferrous metals, utilizing advanced fragmentation and separation technologies to maximize the recovery of aluminum, copper, and other valuable metals from complex waste streams.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investment in state-of-the-art sensor-based sorting and AI technologies

• Large-scale processing of end-of-life vehicles and electronic waste

• Commitment to creating a circular economy for metals

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3️⃣ 8. Commercial Metals Company (CMC)

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Steel and non-ferrous metal recycling, Micro-mill technology incorporating recycled content

CMC is a leading vertically integrated steel and metal recycler in the United States. The company’s recycling operations feed its micro-mills, which produce new steel products with a significantly lower carbon footprint by utilizing high percentages of recycled scrap metal.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Micro-mill technology reduces carbon emissions by 70-80% compared to traditional integrated mills

• Extensive network of recycling facilities supporting local and regional circular economies

• Focus on recycling construction and demolition debris

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2️⃣ 9. GFG Alliance (Liberty Steel)

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Steel and aluminum recycling, GREENSTEEL production using electric arc furnace technology

GFG Alliance, through its Liberty Steel division, is a major player in the global metals industry with a strong focus on sustainable production. The company’s GREENSTEEL strategy prioritizes the use of recycled ferrous and non-ferrous scrap in electric arc furnaces, minimizing the industry’s environmental impact.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30 ambition)

• Integration of recycling operations with low-carbon steel production

• Investment in renewable energy to power recycling and manufacturing facilities

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1️⃣ 10. Materion Corporation

Headquarters: Mayfield Heights, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: High-performance engineered materials, Beryllium and specialty alloy recycling

Materion is a leading integrated producer of high-performance engineered materials, including beryllium-based alloys and other non-ferrous specialty metals. The company operates advanced recycling programs to recover and reuse critical materials from manufacturing scrap and end-of-life products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Specialized recycling of high-value beryllium-containing alloys for aerospace and defense

• Closed-loop systems for customers to return production scrap

• Focus on minimizing waste and maximizing material efficiency in advanced material production

Get Full Report Here: Global Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Is Smart and Circular

The non-ferrous metal recycling industry is at a pivotal moment, transitioning from a traditional waste management service to a critical component of the global circular economy. Driven by technological innovation, regulatory pressure, and growing consumer demand for sustainable products, the sector is poised for significant transformation.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Electrification and Battery Recycling: The explosive growth of electric vehicles is creating a massive new waste stream of lithium-ion batteries, fueling investment in advanced recycling technologies for cobalt, nickel, and lithium recovery.

• Digitalization and AI: Smart sensors, artificial intelligence, and robotics are being deployed to improve sorting accuracy, increase recovery rates, and optimize logistics within recycling facilities.

• Urban Mining: With ore grades declining, the economic and strategic value of reclaiming metals from end-of-life electronics (e-waste) is growing, turning cities into valuable resource reservoirs.

• Policy and Regulation: Governments worldwide are implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and recycling content mandates, creating a more structured and accountable market.

The companies profiled are at the forefront of this transformation. They are not merely recyclers; they are critical material suppliers enabling the low-carbon technologies of tomorrow and building a more resource-secure and sustainable future.

Get Full Report Here: Global Non-ferrous Metal Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report