U.S. Consumer Receipts, Production, Consumption, Shipments, And Stocks Of Iron And Steel Scrap In 2023, By Grade

This table presents detailed data on the flow of iron and steel scrap within the United States in 2023, categorized by grade. It includes figures on consumer receipts from brokers and other sources, production of home scrap from current operations and obsolete scrap, consumption of both purchased and home scrap, shipments, and ending stocks as of December 31. This information is critical for understanding the supply chain dynamics of the steel recycling industry, which plays a vital role in resource efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability in steel manufacturing. Tracking these metrics helps industry stakeholders and policymakers monitor market trends, assess scrap availability, and plan for future demand in steel production.

In 2023, total receipts of iron and steel scrap amounted to 59,890 thousand metric tons, with 56,100 thousand metric tons sourced from brokers, dealers, and other outside sources, and 3,790 thousand metric tons from company-owned plants. Production of home scrap reached 7,170 thousand metric tons, while consumption of purchased and home scrap totaled 56,200 thousand metric tons. Notably, shredded or fragmentized scrap dominated receipts with 17,700 thousand metric tons from outside sources and 1,040 thousand metric tons from company plants, reflecting its importance in steel recycling. The ending stocks of scrap stood at 4,160 thousand metric tons, indicating a substantial inventory to support ongoing production needs. Among specific grades, No. 2 heavy-melting steel showed high receipts at 5,870 thousand metric tons and consumption of 5,750 thousand metric tons, underscoring its significance in the scrap market. The data also reveal that certain categories, such as steel cans and electric furnace scrap, had relatively low volumes, highlighting the varied composition and demand for different scrap grades in the industry.