(March 14, 2025 – Washington, D.C.) – Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) President Robin K. Wiener released the following statement, after several European governments recently called for export restrictions for recycled steel (scrap) at the Summit on the Future of the European Steel Industry, held in Paris on February 27:
“The materials provided by recyclers worldwide are the first link in global manufacturing supply chains, which is why recent efforts by several European Union (EU) member states to restrict exports of recycled steel poses a significant threat to recyclers and manufacturers that rely on recyclable commodities to fulfill more than 40 percent of the global raw material needs.
“ReMA and its global partners have long supported free and fair trade policies for recyclable commodities, as access to global markets is crucial for the competitiveness of the recycled materials industry worldwide, as well as for a resilient and sustainable global manufacturing supply chain. While most recyclables are consumed domestically in both the U.S. and the EU, both of our economies are net exporters to global manufacturers that seek high-quality, sustainable inputs. The needs of consumers in the U.S., EU and around the globe drive the demand recycled materials and governments should not take steps to intervene in these markets.
“When trade restrictions are imposed – like those outlined by the governments of Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Spain – materials are often stranded without the necessary demand. This will likely result in less recycling, less investment, and less jobs, and more dependence on mined and extracted materials.
“The European Commission has already implemented modifications to its Waste Shipment Regulations (WSR), which will effectively reduce global trade in sustainable manufacturing inputs, despite these new regulations aiming to protect the environment. Further efforts, including this call by European governments and consuming industries, to restrict exports of recycled steel will only reduce the competitiveness of recyclers in the EU and manufacturers worldwide.
“We look forward to constructive engagement with the U.S. government to oppose these, and any other export restrictions, that would inhibit the trade in recycled materials.”
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The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.