n° 172 – May 2021

The price of copper going through the roof to an historical high of over US$ 10,000 per tonne; COVID spreading quickly and uncontrollably through India, one of our major markets; container shortages across our normal trade routes showing no signs of improvement; and in the emerging markets, the Malaysian government looking to devise non-ferrous scrap import restrictions and a pre-shipment inspection system.

Add all these together and you can see that we are never short of tough challenges in the recycling industry. For our forthcoming virtual meeting on June 2, the BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division has invited experts to give us their insight and analysis of possible developments.

During the last 16 years, I have had the privilege to serve the BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division, and I have been honoured by the support I have received from all members, especially from the divisional board and the BIR Secretariat. Over that period, we have lived through: the 2008 global financial crisis; China’s Green Fence and later National Sword import policy initiatives, and then its total ban on imports of scrap metal; the US-China trade dispute; and now, the COVID-related lockdowns around the world. The latest ups and downs will certainly make the coming years even more complex.

The BIR Nominations Committee will follow our world organization’s by-laws to select the best person to be the next leader of the Non-Ferrous Metals Division. While I will be moving to the sidelines, I will continue to give my best support to BIR.

Last but not least, stay safe and healthy. I hope we will see each other soon.