Taiwan’s aluminium scrap imports rose by 67pc in August from the prior-August while copper scrap imports increased by 30pc, according to preliminary customs data.
The country’s aluminium scrap import rose by 67pc to 7,500mt from 4,484mt in August 2019, while dropped by 15pc from July imports. Top exporters were the US at 2,367mt, followed by Philippines 825mt, Australia 721mt and Mexico 444mt. Taiwan exported nearly an equivalent tonnage of 7,570mt aluminium scrap. Taiwan’s scrap exports were mainly to South Korea 2805mt, followed by Thailand 1,133mt.
In the Jan-Aug period, Taiwan’s total aluminium scrap imports dropped by 13pc to 67,039mt from the prior-year period.
Copper
Taiwan imported 11,986mt of copper scrap, up 30pc from the prior-August and up by 16pc from July. US was the top exporter of copper scrap into Taiwan with exports of 2,628mt, followed by China 1883mt. Taiwan exported 8,140mt of copper scrap with China being the of top export destination with imports of 3,365mt, followed by Japan at 927mt.
| Taiwan’s top copper scrap trade in August (mt) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports | 11,986 | Exports | 8,140 | |
| US | 2,628 | China | 3,365 | |
| China | 1,883 | Japan | 927 | |
| Malaysia | 1,008 | Hong Kong | 951 | |
| Indonesia | 1,165 | S Korea | 854 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 945 | Malaysia | 684 | |
In the Jan-Aug period, Taiwan’s total copper scrap imports rose by a percent to 79,242mt from the prior-year period.
Taiwanese manufacturers import copper for making foils, brass rod, brass wire and ingots. Taiwan imports high-grade copper scrap such as Barley, Berry/Candy, Birch/Cliff and brass scrap Night, Ebony. The country exports mainly lower grade material.