As we close out 2026, our Q3 Markets and Metals report highlights dramatic divergences across end-of-life vehicle (ELV) commodities and scrap. While domestic mill procurement and tight yard inventories provide a strong baseline, global supply chain shocks—specifically disruptions around the middle east and evolving international tariff policies—have added new layers of cost pressure and regional demand shifts.
Heading into the second half of 2026, the End of Life vehicle (ELV) and metals scrap metal markets continue to demonstrate resilience in a pressurized system. The sustained and specific demand for end of life vehicles and component materials had a good quarter, driven by structural shifts in global manufacturing, EV supply chains, and domestic infrastructure projects.
The scrap metals market is experiencing a period of historic volatility and record-breaking price action. While the end of 2025 showed signs of stability, Q1 2026 has been defined by extreme unpredictable change, particularly in the rare metals and catalytic metal sectors.
2025 saw influences of global trade disagreements and shifting supply dynamics impact our partner landscape in several ways.