In 2023, Germany imported approximately 273 million kilograms of waste or scrap stainless steel. Forecast data suggests a decreasing trend from 2024 to 2028, starting at 271.44 million kilograms and dropping to 262.8 million kilograms. This represents a year-on-year decline ranging from approximately 0.82% to 0.88%. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over this period is roughly -0.78%, indicating a consistent but modest decrease in imports.

Future trends to watch include:

Global metal recycling policies and their impact on demand for imported scrap materials.
Technological advancements improving local recycling efficiencies in Germany.
Fluctuations in global stainless steel production affecting raw material needs.