Net imports of recyclable raw materials up by 7.8%
In 2025, the EU imported 49.7 million tonnes of recyclable raw materials and exported 36.2 million tonnes to non-EU countries. This means that the gap between the two – the net import volume – reached 13.5 million tonnes.
The net import volume in 2025 grew by around 1 million tonnes (7.8%) compared with 2024. The EU has been a net importer of recyclable raw materials since the data series began in 2005. The lowest net import volume was recorded in 2023, at 1.07 million tonnes.
Despite this recent surge, the 2025 gap is still 35.6% lower than the historical maximum gap between volume of imports and exports (21 million tonnes), recorded in 2006.
Source dataset: env_trdrrm
Metals dominate exports, organic materials lead imports
In 2025, the EU exported 18.9 million tonnes of metals, which accounted for over half (52.1%) of all recyclable raw material exports. The second-largest category was paper and cardboard (6.0 million tonnes; 16.5%), followed by organic materials (4.4 million tonnes; 12.0%).
Regarding EU imports, the largest category was organic materials (30.0 million tonnes), making up 60.3% of all recyclable raw material imports. This category was followed by minerals, with 8.3 million tonnes (16.7%) and metal, with 6.3 million tonnes (12.7%).
Source dataset: env_trdrrm
The comparison between data from recyclable raw materials and trade in waste reveals distinct differences in material sourcing. While metals and paper/cardboard are traded almost exclusively as waste, organic materials follow a different pattern, consisting primarily of by-products. In fact, waste constitutes only a minor fraction of organic trade, representing just 1.8% of exports and 3.2% of imports.
Türkiye and Brazil remain main trade partners
In 2025, Türkiye was the top destination for EU exports of recyclable raw materials, with a volume of 12.8 million tonnes. The second destination was India (3.9 million tonnes), followed by the United Kingdom (3.4 million tonnes), Egypt (1.9 million tonnes), Norway and Switzerland (1.5 million tonnes each).
EU imports of recyclable raw materials in 2025 were predominantly from Brazil (11.2 million tonnes), Argentina (8.7 million tonnes), the United Kingdom (4.4 million tonnes), Ukraine (4.0 million tonnes) and the United States (2.4 million tonnes).
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Methodological notes
- Recyclable waste as well as secondary raw materials are recycled and re-injected into the economy as new raw materials. The scope of ‘recyclable raw materials’ includes the part of waste and scrap that is recyclable, and other secondary raw materials (by-products). These are measured in terms of relevant product codes from the Combined Nomenclature used in international trade in goods statistics.
- The comparison with trade in waste data is based on a separate dataset and requires a combined analysis to distinguish between waste and by-products in the trade of recyclable raw materials. Trade in waste includes recyclable and non-recyclable waste, and excludes by-products.
- Organic materials are defined as products originated from animal and vegetal sources that are not included in other categories of raw materials of the classification system used in this publication, e.g. vegetal wastes including waste from forestry and food preparation, animal and mixed food wastes, fats, etc. These materials can be processed into oils, which are commonly used in applications ranging from machinery lubrication to the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, soaps, and chemicals. For more information, you can consult the table of correspondence linked in the previous paragraph.
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