It’s been a tough few years for the global steel industry. Thankfully, here in Western Australia, we have been largely (although not entirely) sheltered from slowdowns in the manufacturing and construction sectors.
Now we can look forward to some exciting times. After a wobbly half-decade, analysts predict a rebound in the scrap metal recycling industry over the next 5 years.
Let’s look ahead to the changes driving growth in scrap metal recycling.
Growing in size
The cost of steel is forecast to rise over the next 5 years, after lower demand and a global pandemic put downward pressure on prices. Closer to home, Australia’s construction industry is growing steadily.
In the scrap metal recycling industry, higher steel prices and increased construction mean more demand for high-quality recycled steel.
At the same time, new industries are emerging that need our expertise:
- E-waste recycling (batteries and devices)
- Urbanisation and development requiring raw steel
- Manufacturing consumer electronics
- Growth in vehicle production and shipbuilding
All in all, some predictions back the global scrap metal recycling industry to reach $98.5B USD in 2031.
Growing in importance
Recycling has never been more important. According to Deloitte, the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global greenhouse emissions.
In order to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, the industry needs to revolutionise every link in the supply chain.
That starts with steel production. Recycling scrap metal significantly reduces land and water use, cuts pollution, and avoids non-biodegradable material ending up in landfills.
And with new technology, software and process solutions coming online, Australia’s scrap metal recycling industry is getting cleaner and more efficient year after year.
Improving all the time
Whether it’s recycling batteries or demolishing mine sites, our capabilities as specialist scrap metal recyclers have come a long way in the last decades.
CD Dodd is the industry leader in e-waste recycling and mine site decommissioning. By investing in new technologies and solutions that make our processes more efficient, we can now offer advanced recycling solutions like:
- Safer procedures for our people
- State-wide battery recycling drives
- Remote mine site demolition
- Better detection methods to separate scrap metal
- Recycling valuable materials
- Automated reclamation using object detection solutions
- Higher quality recycled steel
As recycling becomes more relevant for businesses, our solutions help Western Australian companies reduce waste and get more value from their scrap metal.
Safety across the scrap metal recycling industry
Dealing with scrap metal presents a slew of safety risks, from chemical burns to cuts and crushing. So as we look ahead to the future of the scrap metal recycling industry, safety is our top priority.
Engaging a professional, thorough scrap metal recycling company reduces your risk and guarantees a better result. We use specialist equipment and well-established processes to safely extract scrap material, even from dangerous locations like mine sites.
Further downstream, automated processes and software solutions limit human exposure to risk while simultaneously improving accuracy and productivity.
CD Dodd: Leading the way into the future of scrap metal recycling
We’re looking forward to an exciting future for the scrap metal recycling industry globally and in Western Australia.
As the world demands more recycled material and lower carbon emissions, we will continue innovating our processes. Our goal is to add value for WA businesses with efficient, safe and proactive scrap metal recycling solutions.