Recycled Steel Critical to Sustainable Steelmaking, Says Report

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest global steel recycling report unveiled during the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Gothenburg session has highlighted the critical role played by recycled steel in supporting sustainable steel production.

According to the findings, recycled material accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s crude steel output. Also, steel recycling eliminates nearly 950 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, in addition to delivering significant energy savings and conserving valuable natural resources.

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Türkiye continued to lead global recycled steel imports in 2025, with imports totalling 18.768 million tons. The country also recorded one of the highest recycling ratios in crude steel production at 86.8%. The United States and the Netherlands remained Türkiye’s largest suppliers, though supplies from both these countries declined during the previous year.

India ranked among the leading importers despite a 5% decline in recycled steel imports to 8.040 million tons.

Meanwhile, the EU-27 continued to remain as the world’s largest exporter of recycled steel, shipping 16.684 million tons in 2025. The exports recorded a decline of 2% from the previous year. The primary export destinations were Türkiye and Egypt.