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Aluminium

Aluminium is a silvery-white, non-magnetic, and lightweight metal that is soft and malleable.

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Aluminium can be found in man-made products such as beverage cans, construction materials, electrical wiring, and automobile parts. Scrap aluminium can be recovered from these products and recycled to produce new aluminium products, reducing the need for mining and refining of new aluminium ore.

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There are many countries that export and import scrap aluminum. The top exporting countries of scrap aluminum include the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The top importing countries of scrap aluminium include China, India, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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There are several grades of scrap aluminium that are commonly traded in the global market. Here are some of the most common grades:

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  1. Old Sheet: This grade consists of aluminium sheet and castings that may contain up to 10% of other alloys. It is typically used for low-stress applications such as signs, blinds, and siding.

  2. Cast Aluminium: This grade consists of aluminium castings that are free of iron, dirt, brass, and other non-metallic items. It is commonly used in automotive and industrial applications.

  3. Extrusion: This grade consists of clean aluminium extrusions that are free of iron, screws, and other non-metallic items. It is commonly used in construction, transportation, and consumer goods.

  4. Mixed Low Copper Aluminium: This grade consists of aluminium with a copper content of less than 0.1%. It may contain other alloys and is commonly used in automotive and aerospace applications.

  5. Old Aluminium: This grade consists of aluminium products that may contain up to 5% of other alloys. It is typically used in low-stress applications such as lawn furniture, window frames, and household items.

  6. Taint/Tabor: This grade consists of clean mixed aluminium scrap that has a higher iron content than Old Sheet or Old Aluminium. It is commonly used in automotive and industrial applications.

  7. UBC (Used Beverage Cans): This grade consists of aluminium cans that have been used for beverages. It is typically used to produce new beverage cans.

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