Indian recyclers warn that EU’s proposed ban on metal waste imports from 2027 could increase costs for small processors, threaten supply chains, and be perceived as resource protectionism, prompting calls for government intervention.
India’s recyclers have urged the government to push back against a European Union plan that would keep the country out of the bloc’s metal waste export market from 2027, warning that the move could raise costs for small processors and deepen reliance on virgin raw materials. In a letter reviewed by Reuters, the Material Recycling Association of India said the proposal could disrupt long-standing supply chains that are particularly important to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the European Commission’s proposal, published on September 18, India would be excluded from imports of EU metal waste under rules set to take effect in May 2027. Brussels says metal waste requires tighter oversight because it can contain persistent and toxic heavy metals. The Commission has also opened a public consultation on exemptions for non-OECD countries, with applicants needing to show that waste will be handled in an environmentally sound way.
Industry data cited by the Material Recycling Association of India indicates how exposed Indian buyers are to the EU market. In the 2025/26 financial year, India sourced about 20% of its aluminium scrap imports from the EU, along with 22% of copper and copper alloy scrap, 20% of lead scrap and 40% of zinc scrap. The association said that losing access to those flows would lift raw material costs and increase pressure on domestic recyclers, many of whom depend on imported scrap to keep plants running.
The group argued that India already has a wide environmental rulebook covering recycling and processing facilities, and described the EU plan as “resource protectionism”. It also urged New Delhi to seek zero-duty scrap imports under the India-EU trade agreement expected this year, saying scrap has become strategically important to Europe’s metals industry. India’s commerce ministry said it remains engaged with the EU on the issue, while Reuters reported that the trade ministry and the association did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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