BIR 2025 Highlights: How Tariffs Are Reshaping Global Scrap and Recycling Markets

Murat Bayram, Managing Director, European Metals Recycling noted that European steel industry needs support, but not with tariffs.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The International Trade Council (ITC) session at the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) World Recycling Convention & Exhibition 2025 in Bangkok sparked a lively discussion on the growing impact of trade tariffs on the global recycling and metals industries. Experts from across regions debated whether tariffs serve as protection or obstruction for international trade and industrial growth.

Murat Bayram, Managing Director at European Metals Recycling, emphasized that while Europe’s steel sector does require support, tariffs are not the solution. He cautioned that additional tariffs would only create more bureaucracy, barriers, and complexity in the supply chain. Bayram urged stakeholders to focus instead on boosting recycling capacity and collaboration, adding that European steel mills must strengthen competitiveness through innovation rather than protectionism.

BIR: Global Scrap Trade Stands at a Historic Crossroads Amid Shifting Market Dynamics

Meanwhile, ITC Chairman Emmanuel Katrakis rejected the idea of introducing taxes on exports of recycled steel, copper, and aluminium from Europe. He reminded delegates that the EU remains a leading global exporter of recycled metals, even as domestic demand has significantly declined over the past decade. Imposing restrictions or export levies, Katrakis warned, could undermine the recycling industry’s global competitiveness and disrupt established trade flows.

In contrast, George Adams, CEO of SA Recycling (USA), defended the U.S. government’s tariff policies, arguing that tariffs have been instrumental in revitalizing the American steel industry. According to Adams, these measures have shielded domestic steelmakers from unfair international competition, allowing them to recover and invest in long-term sustainability.

The discussion underscored the divergent global perspectives on tariffs — with Europe advocating for open trade and cooperation, while the U.S. continues to view tariffs as a strategic tool for industrial protection. The debate reflected a broader concern about balancing free trade, industrial growth, and environmental sustainability in the global recycling market.