Core Viewpoint - The recycled aluminum industry is becoming a key area for global green transformation, with the global recycled aluminum market expected to reach $54.8 billion in 2024 and exceed $112.5 billion by 2034, growing at an annual rate of 7.5% [1]. Market Overview - The global recycled aluminum market is projected to grow from $54.8 billion in 2024 to $58.2 billion in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 6.2% [5]. - The demand for recycled aluminum is primarily driven by the lightweighting in transportation and green infrastructure, contributing 26% to global demand growth [6]. Policy and Regulatory Environment - The Chinese government is enhancing the planning of the recycled resource recovery system, aiming to establish a comprehensive recycling infrastructure by 2025, with a target of over 450 million tons of annual utilization of nine major categories of recycled resources [5]. - The EU has initiated monitoring of waste metal trade to address the crisis of strategic raw material outflow, covering 40% of the total trade volume of circular economy materials [11]. Trade Dynamics - The global waste aluminum trade is undergoing a structural reorganization, with Thailand emerging as the largest buyer of U.S. waste aluminum, and Southeast Asia becoming a new hub for recycling and processing [8][11]. - The shift from a cost-arbitrage driven model to a regional collaboration model is evident, as China transitions from a net importer to a dominant player in internal circulation [10]. Historical Context - China's waste aluminum import peaked at 1.2 million tons in 2004, but by 2018, imports had plummeted to 157,000 tons due to stricter quality standards and a focus on domestic recycling [7]. - The domestic recycling rate of waste aluminum has increased significantly, with a recovery volume surpassing 9 million tons in 2020, and the share of recycled aluminum in raw material supply rising from less than 40% to over 80% [7]. Future Outlook - By 2025, China's recycled aluminum production is targeted to reach 11.5 million tons, a 54% increase from 7.45 million tons in 2020, with domestic waste aluminum recovery expected to rise to 11.06 million tons by 2024 [15]. - The ongoing demand surge in Southeast Asia, coupled with resource protection policies in Europe and the U.S., is likely to constrain waste aluminum imports, maintaining strong prices for recycled aluminum [15].