Flat domestic demand, slum ping exports and rising inventories have pushed ferrous scrap prices down. Of most importance, weak offshore demand and rising ocean freight rates have put the brakes on export activity. At the same time, domestic steel demand remains flat and finished steel exports have dropped from previous levels, especially to China. The steel-can recycling rate grew in 2002. According to the Steel Recycling Institute (Pittsburgh), the rate last year was 58.5 percent versus 58.1 percent in 2001. Recovery rates for other forms of ferrous scrap were higher. The automobile recycling level topped 100 percent again last year, coming in at 100.6 percent. Recovery of structural plates and beams from demolition projects totaled 95 percent, while appliance recycling attained an 86.6 percent level.
展开▼
