Steel Recycling 2024: Global Country-Wise Trends & Sustainability Insights

Discover steel recycling trends across key countries like China, India, the USA, and Turkey in 2024. Explore usage volumes, sustainability benchmarks, and their strategic implications.

♻️ Who Leads the World in Recycled Steel Usage in 2024-25?
As sustainability and decarbonization define the future of steel, recycled steel usage has become a critical metric of green progress. In 2024, global leaders like China, the EU, the USA, and Turkey showed sharp contrasts in how they integrate scrap steel into their production.

According to the latest data, global recycled steel consumption surpassed 450 million tons, with notable shifts in volume and share across regions.

🌎 Country-Wise Recycled Steel Usage 2024-25
Rank    Country/Region    Recycled Steel Usage (MMT)    Share of Crude Steel Production  YoY Change
1    China    209.67    20.9%    ▼ 1.9%
2    EU-27    76.64    59.2%    ▲ 1.9%
3    USA    55.30    69.2%    ▼ 3.0%
4    Turkey    31.27    84.8%    ▲ 7.5%
5    Japan    30.82    36.7%    ▼ 3.2%
6    India    25.53     23.0%    ▲ 7.5%
7. South Korea    22.51    35.4%    ▼ 14.0%

Source: Global Steel Recycling Report, 2024-25

🔍 Key Observations:
China leads in volume but lags in recycling share due to its BOF-heavy infrastructure.
Turkey stands out with 84.8% of its steel made from scrap—thanks to widespread use of electric arc furnaces (EAF).
India and the EU show positive growth, driven by policy mandates and EAF investments.
South Korea’s sharp 14% decline suggests supply chain disruptions or cost pressures on scrap imports.
🔧 Strategic Impact on Global Steel Sustainability:
As the world transitions toward green steel, countries prioritizing scrap usage will have a competitive edge—both economically and environmentally. Nations with high EAF adoption, like the USA and Turkey, are setting the standard, while others must scale scrap integration to meet climate targets.

Stakeholders across the steel value chain—especially recyclers, mills, service centers, and policymakers—must closely monitor scrap availability, regulatory changes, and technology shifts shaping green steel production.

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