In 2020, Germany led European copper, aluminum, and nickel waste imports within the EU27 with a substantial 25.49% share by metric tons, followed by Italy (13.62%) and Belgium (8.97%). Noteworthy contributors also included Poland (7.25%), Austria (6.58%), and France (6.35%). Smaller shares were held by Eastern and Southern European nations, with Ireland and Malta having negligible imports.
From 2022 to 2023, notable increases occurred in Ireland (25.38%), Romania (7.37%), and Bulgaria (9.43%). Conversely, significant declines were observed in Lithuania (-5.39%) and the Netherlands (-2.25%). A five-year analysis highlights steady growth in countries like Sweden (4.36% CAGR) and Hungary (3.43% CAGR).
Looking ahead, future trends to watch include potential policy shifts towards sustainable recycling practices and increased intra-European cooperation, likely affecting the dynamics of waste imports in countries with robust recycling infrastructures. Pay attention to environmental regulations, which could influence the hierarchy of import shares across EU27 nations.
Top countries in Copper, Aluminium and Nickel Waste Imports Intra-EU27 (2020) Share by Country (Metric Tons)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 25.49 | 2023 | +2.48% | +1.77% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Italy | 13.62 | 2023 | +1.06% | +0.93% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Belgium | 8.97 | 2023 | +0.87% | +0.73% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Poland | 7.25 | 2023 | +4.21% | -0.72% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Austria | 6.58 | 2023 | -0.5% | -1.92% | View data |
| 6 | 6 France | 6.35 | 2023 | +7.67% | +2.01% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Spain | 6.03 | 2023 | +1.7% | +0.94% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Netherlands | 5.23 | 2023 | +1.74% | -2.25% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Luxembourg | 3.65 | 2023 | +1.72% | +0.7% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Sweden | 3.28 | 2023 | +2.98% | +4.36% | View data |
