Overview Of The Current Trade Dynamics
The European Union imported 49.7 million tonnes of recyclable raw materials from non-EU countries in 2025, while exports totaled 36.2 million tonnes, according to data from Eurostat. That imbalance resulted in a net import gap of 13.5 million tonnes for the year, representing a 7.8% increase compared with the previous 12-month period.
Consecutive Trends In Import Reliance
The EU has remained a net importer of recyclable raw materials since records began in 2005. Its smallest import gap was recorded in 2023 at 1.07 million tonnes, compared with a peak of 21 million tonnes in 2006. Despite the recent increase in imports, the current gap remains 35.6% below the historical high.
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Commodity Breakdown And Market Dominance
Scrap metals represented the largest category of recyclable raw material exports, accounting for 18.9 million tonnes or 52.1% of total outbound shipments. Paper and cardboard followed with 6.0 million tonnes, representing 16.5% of exports, while organic materials accounted for 4.4 million tonnes or 12.0%. On the import side, organic materials dominated inbound trade flows at 30.0 million tonnes, equivalent to 60.3% of total imports. Minerals accounted for 8.3 million tonnes, while metal materials totaled 6.3 million tonnes.
Distinct Material Sourcing Patterns
Trade patterns differed significantly across material categories. Industrial metals, paper and cardboard were primarily traded as classified waste materials, while organic materials, largely agricultural by-products, followed different supply patterns. Standard waste represented only a limited share of the organic materials category, accounting for 1.8% of exports and 3.2% of imports.
Key International Trade Routes
Turkey remained the largest destination for EU recyclable raw material exports in 2025, receiving 12.8 million tonnes. India followed with 3.9 million tonnes, while the United Kingdom imported 3.4 million tonnes. Other major export destinations included Egypt, Norway and Switzerland, each receiving between 1.5 million and 1.9 million tonnes. Among import partners, Brazil ranked first with 11.2 million tonnes, followed by Argentina at 8.7 million tonnes and the United Kingdom at 4.4 million tonnes. Ukraine and the United States also remained significant suppliers, exporting 4.0 million tonnes and 2.4 million tonnes respectively.
Strategic Implications For The EU
Latest figures highlight the EU’s continued dependence on imported recyclable raw materials and ongoing shifts in global recycling trade flows. Differences between industrial waste trade and agricultural by-product sourcing also continue to shape the bloc’s broader resource management and recycling supply chains.
