Young Traders Call for Action at BIR World Recycling Convention 2025

Young Traders Group Sparks Industry Momentum at BIR 2025

The first-ever Young Traders Committee plenary session marked a turning point at the BIR World Recycling Convention 2025 in Valencia, Spain. The Young Traders Group was a focal point of the event, emphasizing the importance of youth in leading the industry.
Held on May 27, the session rallied young professionals to step forward and lead in the global recycling industry.

Josh Brough, chairman of the Young Traders Group (YTG) and director at JBMI Group Ltd., issued a clear message: the industry needs new voices. “This is a call to action,” he said, urging 18-to-35-year-olds to present, engage, and lead. According to Brough, the world faces fragile resource limits and growing uncertainty—conditions that demand innovation in recycling and metals trading.

In addition, Brough emphasized the career value of joining the Young Traders Group. He described the group as not only educational but also career-defining. “If you are or know a young trader, now is the time to join,” he said.

LME, Risk Management, and Career Insights for the Next Generation

The plenary spotlighted major financial and market tools shaping the industry today. Alberto Xodo, product specialist at the London Metal Exchange (LME), walked attendees through the origins of futures trading. He explained how metal merchants began hedging centuries ago to mitigate risks in copper shipments—giving rise to today’s derivatives markets, which are important for groups like Young Traders.

Xodo highlighted recent LME developments tailored to recyclers. “We launched new contracts like steel scrap for Turkey and used beverage cans in the U.S.,” he said. These new tools aim to make metal recycling more liquid and risk-resilient.

Meanwhile, Ben László of Kuusakoski Recycling focused on financial hedging in scrap trading. He likened derivatives contracts to insurance policies, designed to guard against volatile metal prices. “The most dominant tool remains the futures contract,” he noted.

Lucy Thomas from Norsk Hydro added a buyer’s perspective. She described how LME aluminum pricing helps streamline scrap deals. “Everyone is speaking the same language,” she said, reinforcing how futures markets bring consistency to global procurement.

Thomas, who began her career in Hydro’s scrap buying program, also praised the Young Traders Group. “BIR helps you gain business contacts—and real friendships,” she said, highlighting the group’s benefits.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The emergence of the Young Traders Group at BIR 2025 marks a pivotal shift in metals trading. At a time when global resource security and industrial decarbonization are top priorities, the next generation of professionals is not waiting on the sidelines. Their engagement with financial tools like LME futures and global forums like BIR proves that the future of metal recycling hinges on informed, collaborative leadership. BIR’s platform is not just for seasoned veterans—it’s also a launchpad for the exciting opportunities within the Young Traders Group.