India’s aluminium scrap imports fell 16% year-on-year during the first quarter of calendar year 2026 (Q1CY’26), reflecting weaker domestic demand and cautious procurement by secondary metal producers amid fluctuating global prices. Industry sources said lower consumption from downstream sectors such as construction, automotive and packaging also contributed to the decline in import volumes.
Market participants noted that higher freight costs, currency volatility and tighter global scrap availability impacted buying sentiment during the quarter. Traders also indicated that domestic recyclers increasingly relied on locally available scrap supplies to manage costs and reduce dependence on overseas shipments.
Despite the quarterly decline, industry stakeholders expect aluminium scrap demand to gradually recover in the coming months, supported by infrastructure projects, rising manufacturing activity and India’s growing focus on sustainable metal recycling and circular economy initiatives.