Nickel Recovered From Purchased Scrap In The United States

This table presents data on the quantities of nickel recovered from various types of purchased scrap materials in the United States, categorized by both the type of scrap and the form of recovery. This information is crucial for understanding the role of recycling in the domestic nickel supply chain, which supports industries such as stainless steel manufacturing and alloy production. Tracking recovered nickel from scrap helps gauge the efficiency of resource utilization, reduces reliance on primary nickel mining, and influences market dynamics by contributing to the availability and pricing of nickel-containing materials.

In 2023, the total nickel recovered from purchased scrap decreased to 140,000 metric tons, down from 153,000 metric tons in 2022, marking an 8.5% decline. The most significant reduction occurred in ferrous-base scrap, primarily stainless and alloy steel scrap, which fell from 146,000 metric tons to 133,000 metric tons. Aluminum-base scrap recovery also saw a modest decrease, from 2,270 to 2,120 metric tons. Nickel-base scrap recovery remained relatively stable, with a slight decline from 4,520 to 4,420 metric tons. Data for copper-base scrap were withheld to protect proprietary information and were not included in the totals. Overall, the downward trend in recovered nickel from scrap suggests shifts in scrap availability, consumption patterns, or recycling efficiencies within the U.S. industrial sector during this period.