The 21st ALUMINIUM CHINA and the concurrent 2026 Shanghai International Metal Recycling Expo successfully concluded at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) on 10 July 2026, bringing together the global non-ferrous metals industry for three days of innovation, business networking and knowledge exchange.

Co-located with Copper China, Magnesium China, and Lightweight Asia, the five concurrent exhibitions created a comprehensive platform spanning the entire non-ferrous metals value chain, from raw materials and advanced processing technologies to recycling, sustainability and end-use applications.

Over the three-day event, 36,134 worldwide professional visitors attended the event, setting a new attendance record. The exhibition also facilitated 864 domestic business matchmaking meetings and more than 200 international matchmaking sessions, further strengthening global trade connections and cross-border business cooperation.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all exhibitors, visitors, industry associations, partners and media representatives for their trust, participation and continued support. Together, we celebrated the industry's achievements while advancing collaboration across the global non-ferrous metals community.

Among the concurrent events, the 2026 International Forum on Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling and Sustainable Development, emerged as one of the highlights of the exhibition. Against the backdrop of accelerating circular economy development, supply chain transformation and growing global demand for low-carbon materials, the forum brought together policymakers, international industry organizations, leading enterprises and sustainability experts to discuss the future of recycled non-ferrous metals and global collaboration.

Global Perspectives on Emerging Markets and Supply Chain Transformation

The forum opened with welcome remarks from Ms. Kelly Li, Project Director, RX CHINA, and Mr. Liu Wei, Vice Chairman and Secretary General, CMRA, setting the stage for a full day of discussions on market trends, policy developments and international cooperation.

The morning session focused on regional market opportunities and the evolving global recycling landscape.

Mr. Liu Long, Deputy Secretary General of CMRA, presented "Development Status and Trends in the Recycled Non-ferrous Metals Industry and Outlook for China's 15th Five-Year Plan," providing an overview of China's recycled metals industry and the policy priorities shaping its future development.

International experts then shared valuable regional insights. Mr. Mir Mujtaba, Founder & President of the Bureau of Middle East Recycling (BMR), explored the Middle East's growing role as a strategic hub for global recycled metal trade. Mr. Mohan Agarwal, Director of the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), examined India's rapidly expanding recycling industry, while Ms. Ngo Thi Lan Phuong, Board Member of the Vietnam Metal Recycling Forum (VMRF), highlighted Vietnam's opportunities amid global manufacturing relocation.

Continuing the regional outlook, Dato Dr. Joe Saravanan, President of the Malaysia Recyclers Association (MRA), shared perspectives on ASEAN's recycling industry development and regional cooperation. Mr. Deepak Sanghi, Director of the Indian Copper Development Centre (ICDC), discussed how electric vehicles, electrification and clean energy are driving new demand for recycled non-ferrous metals.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion entitled "Global Perspectives on Recycled Non-Ferrous Metals: Regional Trends, Resource Flows, and Pathways for Collaboration," moderated by Mr. Suneel Mardia, CEO of MTLEXS. Representatives from the Recycling Association of Africa (RAA), Bombay Metal Exchange (BME), Bureau of Middle East Recycling (BMR), Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), Malaysia Recyclers Association (MRA) and AlCircle exchanged views on evolving trade patterns, resource flows, supply chain resilience and future international cooperation.

Advancing Sustainability Across the non-ferrous metals value chain

The afternoon session turned its attention to sustainability, circularity and low-carbon supply chain development.

Mr. Jonathan Grant, Secretary General of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), delivered a keynote presentation, "Navigating Geopolitical Turmoil While Staying the Course on Sustainability," sharing insights into how the aluminium industry can continue advancing sustainability amid global geopolitical changes.

Representing the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), Dr. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer, together with Mr. Chris Bayliss, Climate Change & Decarbonisation Director, introduced the latest progress in aluminium value chain standards and demonstrated how international standards are helping accelerate circularity, responsible sourcing and decarbonization across the global aluminium supply chain.

Practical case studies from downstream industries further illustrated sustainability in action. Mr. Tao Zhiyuan, Head of Supply Chain Sustainability at NIO Inc., shared the company's experience in green procurement, supply chain decarbonization and recycled material integration. Ms. Cindy Yang, Engineering and Quality Lead, Aluminum Supply Chain at Inter IKEA Group, presented IKEA's approach to building a sustainable and affordable aluminium supply chain through responsible sourcing and circular material management.

Technology Innovation Driving Circular Economy Development

Innovation and advanced recycling technologies formed another key focus of the forum.

Mr. Jack Qian, General Manager of Enerpat (Jiangsu) Environment Co., Ltd., introduced AI-powered robotics and officially launched ENERPAT's next-generation fully automated aluminium chip and foil briquetting solutions, showcasing how intelligent equipment is improving recycling efficiency and accelerating industry upgrading.

The forum concluded with a presentation by Dr. Michael Clinch, Managing Director of Innoval Technology Limited, entitled "The Science Behind the Sustainability: The Aluminium Beverage Can's Journey to Becoming the Most Recycled Packaging Product on the Planet." His presentation demonstrated how continuous innovation in materials science, manufacturing and recycling systems has enabled aluminium beverage cans to become one of the world's most successful circular economy products.

Looking Ahead

From regional market opportunities and global resource flows to sustainability standards, circular supply chains and cutting-edge recycling technologies, the 2026 International Forum on Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling and Sustainable Development provided an international platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing and cross-border collaboration.

As ALUMINIUM CHINA 2026 comes to a successful close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every exhibitor, visitor, speaker, partner and supporter who made this event possible.

We look forward to welcoming the global industry back to Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 7–9 July 2027. Together, we will continue to drive innovation, strengthen international partnerships and shape a more sustainable future for the global non-ferrous metals industry.