The steady increase in global demand for stainless steel scrap has not been reflected in the price of nickel. Given that nickel is used in making stainless steel, an overabundance of the former being mined in Asia has affected its price. The price of nickel was great in early December…
The ScrapyardPro Blog
Nonferrous Exports Surging
Exports of nonferrous scrap have boomed this year. Nickel, copper, and aluminum have been particularly strong. Nickel exports were 31% higher through the first eight months of 2017 than in the same period a year ago. The nickel waste exported totaled $80.5 million through August of this year compared to…
Flooding Impacts Auto Market
Automotive recyclers and salvage yards may be deluged by vehicles damaged by the hurricanes that have hit southern states in recent months. Massive flooding in Houston and surrounding areas hit by Hurricane Harvey caused widespread damage to vehicles. Cox Automotive estimates that 300,000 to 500,000 cars were damaged, according to…
Hurricanes Disrupt Scrap Supply
The bigger the disaster, the bigger its effects on the scrap industry. When homes are destroyed, buildings damaged and automobiles wrecked, massive amounts of materials are extracted and the demand for rebuilding supplies surges. Typically, the demand for materials exceeds the supply extracted from the damaged areas. The U.S. scrap…
Plan Ahead for a Hurricane
Preparing a scrapyard for a hurricane should begin well before the winds start whipping. Creating, reviewing and revising an emergency response plan prior to storm season provides the optimal protection. In planning ahead, you can react sooner and avoid potentially disastrous oversights when a storm threatens. For example, knowing how…
China Scrap Ban Looms
China intends to ban certain scrap from being imported, citing environmental concerns. Recycling industry leaders expect more bans to follow. The impact of restrictions could be significant for US recyclers because China is the largest receiver of exported scrap commodities. Scrap organizations are on edge. On July 18, the Institute…
Using Yard Management Reports to Reduce Risk for Scrapyards
Running a scrap metal business requires a lot of your attention. Whether you own the recycling center or manage it, you have to know what is happening anywhere at any time. You have customers to service, sales to make, employees to supervise and laws to follow—just to name a few…
Steel Production Keeps Increasing
Steel production remains strong domestically and abroad. Domestic raw steel production was up 4.4 percent for the year-to-date through March 25, according to American Iron and Steel Institute statistics. Capability utilization was at 73.4 percent compared with 71.3 percent a year ago. World crude steel production increased 4.1 percent to 126.6 million tonnes (Mt) in…
Steel Production Starts Strong
Steel production has surged in early 2017. Domestic raw steel production was up 4.7 percent for the year-to-date through Feb. 25, according to American Iron and Steel Institute statistics. Capacity utilization was at 73.0 percent compared with 70.8 percent a year ago. World crude steel production increased 7.0 percent to 136.5 million…
Steel Market Forecast 2017
The World Steel Association projects that global steel demand will increase by 0.5 percent in 2017 to 1,510 million tonnes (Mt). Demand increased slightly in 2016 but weakness in investment globally is hampering a stronger recovery, worldsteel noted in its steel market forecast for 2017. Steel demand is projected to decline…