
188 Aluminum Recycling
increase in scrap ow to China (Gesing, 2005; Kirchner, 2007a,b). Figure 11.2 shows
the global movement of aluminum scrap in 2011; the importance of demand from
China is the predominant feature of global trade.
impact OF cOSt
For aluminum recyclers, the cost of operation can be separated into two categories:
the cost of obtaining scrap and the cost of processing it. As might be suspected,
recyclers tend to be located in areas where these costs are less.
Some of the factors affecting the price of scrap have already been mentioned (see
Chapter 4), including export or import fees and competition for scrap from primary
smelters. ...