Who Buys: Steel Scrap

Several massive corporations dominate the purchasing and processing of steel scrap. Notable Detail Steel Producer

Traditional blast furnace operations also buy scrap (typically 10-25% of their "charge") to cool the molten iron and improve efficiency. who buys steel scrap

These buyers melt scrap to cast it into specific parts for the automotive, machinery, and tool industries. Turkey relies on scrap for over 85% of

Largest recycler in North America; operates almost exclusively via EAF mills. Steel Producer Largest recycler in North America

Because scrap is a globally traded commodity, entire nations act as "buyers" by importing massive volumes for their domestic industries.

The undisputed #1 buyer globally. Turkey relies on scrap for over 85% of its steel production , importing roughly 20-25 million tons annually.

While China produces the most steel, it has historically used less scrap percentage-wise (~22%). However, it is now the largest overall consumer of scrap as it shifts toward greener EAF technology.