Recycled Steel Market Holds Steady Amid Global Trade Shifts
The recycled steel market continues to show resilience, maintaining price stability into the third quarter of 2025. Analysts and traders from the United States, Europe, and Asia report subdued volatility and steady trade flows. In the U.S., recycled steel dealers expect range-bound prices, supported by moderate demand and limited supply.
George Adams, CEO of California-based SA Recycling, forecasts a quiet third quarter. “That sets the stage for what could be a protracted period of range-bound prices,” Adams said in the latest Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) World Mirror on Ferrous Metals. Despite a cautious consumer outlook, U.S. steel mills and dealers enjoy steady liquidity, with hot-rolled coil steel hovering near $900 per ton and scrap steel prices stable at around $400 per ton.
Meanwhile, international trends support this calm. On the U.S. West Coast, Sims Metal’s Michael Gaylard notes sustained containerized exports to traditional buyers like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. These nations maintain 2024 import levels due to alternative feedstocks. However, Bangladesh is shifting more interest toward Japanese recycled steel, driven by better logistics and flexible shipment sizes.
Focus Keyphrase: Recycled Steel Market
Japan and Southeast Asia Drive Export Momentum
Export activity in Asia reveals strong demand from Vietnam and Bangladesh for Japanese scrap steel. Ted Taya of Shinsei Scrap Co. Ltd. highlights a 25% year-over-year increase in Japan’s May exports, with Vietnam receiving over 310,000 metric tons—a 72.7% surge from May 2024. This consistent demand from Vietnam keeps Japan’s monthly shipments steady at around 300,000 metric tons.
Bangladesh’s import strategy has also shifted. With a 270% year-on-year rise in Japanese supply, the country secured five of the last six export tenders from Japan, capitalizing on faster delivery and more flexible terms than deep-sea options.
In contrast, European markets remain quieter. Tom Bird of Enicor (UK) and Mogens Bach Christensen of H.J. Hansen (Denmark) report low recycled steel generation and slow pricing activity. Economic sluggishness and the seasonal summer lull continue to mute market dynamics across the EU.
SuperMetalPrice Commentary:
The recycled steel market shows remarkable consistency at a time when other commodity sectors face volatility. Regional dynamics differ, yet the broader picture points to a global equilibrium. Southeast Asia’s strategic sourcing from Japan and the U.S. West Coast reflects adaptive trade flows, while subdued conditions in Europe align with slower manufacturing growth. If supply constraints tighten or infrastructure demand picks up, this stable pricing floor may turn into a launchpad for modest gains. Stakeholders should monitor freight costs, regional mill activity, and shifts in containerized trade routes for early signals of change.
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