The Netherlands led European precious metals waste imports within the EU in 2020, with significant imports of 147.9 thousand metric tons, followed by Germany and Belgium. The year 2023 saw notable growth, particularly an 83.92% increase in the Netherlands, while Lithuania and Hungary experienced sharp increases, with variations of 44.87% and 57.79%, respectively. Conversely, Belgium showed a decline of 8.63%. Austria and Slovakia displayed moderate growth, whereas countries such as Estonia and Spain had significant year-over-year increases. Multiple countries have shown either significant growth or declines, reflecting inconsistencies across the region.
In future trends, increased recycling mandates and enhanced processing technologies could drive incremental intra-EU27 trade. Countries with burgeoning waste treatment industries might become more central import hubs. Monitoring environmental regulations and circular economy initiatives will be crucial, as these can significantly alter the flow and volume of precious metals waste within the EU. Being informed of how countries invest in recycling infrastructure could also shed light on next decade's trade patterns.
Top countries in Precious Metals Waste Imports Intra-EU27 (2020) by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Metric Tons | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Netherlands | 147,900 | 2023 | +50.59% | +83.92% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Germany | 77,980 | 2023 | +4.48% | +5.26% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Belgium | 64,020 | 2023 | +11.27% | -8.63% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Czech Republic | 27,080 | 2023 | +16% | +14.29% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Lithuania | 7,710 | 2023 | +21.2% | +44.87% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Slovakia | 3,020 | 2023 | +20.67% | +27.78% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Italy | 2,950 | 2023 | +4.5% | +13.12% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Poland | 2,590 | 2023 | +13.8% | +13.04% | View data |
| 9 | 9 France | 1,160 | 2023 | -1.11% | +6.23% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Finland | 1,140 | 2023 | +9.56% | -3.38% | View data |
