Aluminium Scrap Rate in India (2026): Prices, Grades & Selling Guide

Aluminium is one of the most valuable scrap materials in the Indian market. With a scrap rate of Rs 130-160 per kg, aluminium offers excellent returns for collectors, kabadiwallas, and recycling businesses. Unlike many other recyclable materials, aluminium can be recycled infinitely without losing quality — making it a cornerstone of the circular economy.

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Aluminium Scrap Rates (2026)

Note: Prices vary significantly by purity, contamination level, and lot size. Clean, single-alloy scrap commands a premium of 15-25% over mixed lots.

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Why Aluminium Scrap Rates Are High

Energy Savings

Recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy required to produce primary aluminium from bauxite ore. This massive energy differential makes recycled aluminium highly cost-competitive, sustaining strong scrap demand.

LME Price Linkage

Indian aluminium scrap prices track the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price. As LME prices rise with global demand and energy costs, domestic scrap rates follow.

Import Dependence

India imports a significant share of its aluminium scrap, making domestic scrap valuable. Government duties on scrap imports further support domestic pricing.

Growing Demand Sectors

Automotive (electric vehicle components), construction (facades, window frames), and packaging (beverage cans, foil) are all expanding aluminium consumption in India.

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Aluminium Scrap Value Chain in India

Collection

• Waste pickers collect aluminium cans, foil, and household items
• Kabadiwallas purchase from households, offices, and small businesses
• Industrial scrap comes from manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and demolition

Sorting and Grading

• Aluminium is separated from other metals (often using magnets — aluminium is non-magnetic)
• Sorted by alloy type and cleanliness
• Kabadiwala markup: 20-40% over picker rates

Melting and Recycling

• Secondary smelters melt scrap into ingots, billets, and wire rods
• Recycled aluminium trades at a 10-20% discount to primary aluminium
• India has 500+ secondary aluminium smelters

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Most Profitable Aluminium Scrap to Collect

For Individual Collectors

1. Beverage cans: Easy to find, lightweight, good per-unit value. Approximately 65-70 cans per kg.
2. Old utensils and cookware: Heavier items that are worth Rs 130-160/kg.
3. Window frames and profiles: High-grade extrusion scrap. Available from renovation and demolition.

For Scrap Businesses

1. Electrical conductor scrap (Tense): Premium grade, Rs 160-180/kg.
2. Extrusion scrap (6063 alloy): Clean profiles from fabrication shops, Rs 150-180/kg.
3. UBC (Used Beverage Cans): Growing supply with India's expanding canned beverage market.

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Where to Sell Aluminium Scrap

Local Kabadiwala

• Rate: Rs 100-140/kg depending on type
• Pros: No minimum quantity, immediate cash
• Cons: Lower rates, may not differentiate grades

BIN Collection Points

• Rate: Market-competitive rates with instant UPI payment
• Pros: Transparent weighing, digital records, insurance for registered pickers
• Cons: Expanding to more cities

Scrap Traders and Wholesalers

• Rate: Rs 130-170/kg for sorted lots
• Pros: Better rates for bulk
• Cons: Minimum 50-100 kg lots typically required

Direct to Smelter

• Rate: Rs 150-180/kg for clean, sorted scrap
• Pros: Best possible rates
• Cons: Large minimum quantities (1 tonne+), quality specifications, transport costs

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Tips for Maximising Aluminium Scrap Value

1. Separate from other metals: Mixed metal lots are penalised. Use a magnet test — aluminium is non-magnetic.
2. Clean off contaminants: Remove rubber, plastic inserts, screws, and dirt. Clean scrap fetches 10-20% more.
3. Sort by alloy: If possible, separate cast aluminium (engine blocks) from wrought aluminium (sheets, profiles). Wrought alloys are worth more.
4. Crush cans: Compressed cans take less space, allowing you to accumulate and sell larger lots.
5. Track LME prices: Aluminium scrap rates correlate with LME — sell when international prices are strong.
6. Build volume: The difference between selling 5 kg and 500 kg can be Rs 20-30/kg.

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Aluminium Recycling and the Circular Economy

Aluminium is the ideal circular economy material — 100% recyclable with no quality loss, and recycling saves 95% of production energy. In India, the aluminium recycling rate for certain segments (cans, automotive) exceeds 80%, though overall recovery rates can be improved.

The EPR framework, while primarily focused on plastics, is expanding to cover other materials. As aluminium packaging grows (particularly canned beverages), formalised collection through platforms like BIN becomes increasingly important.

BIN's Role in Aluminium Collection

BIN's kirana-based collection network is designed for multi-material collection. When waste pickers and households bring aluminium along with PET, cardboard, and other materials, BIN provides:

• Fair, transparent pricing based on current market rates
• Instant UPI payment — no cash delays
• Insurance and financial inclusion for informal sector workers
• Verified collection data for circular economy reporting

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the aluminium scrap rate per kg in India today? Mixed aluminium scrap trades at Rs 130-160/kg in India as of April 2026. Specific grades range from Rs 60-90/kg (foil) to Rs 150-180/kg (clean extrusion/wire scrap).

How many aluminium cans make 1 kg? Approximately 65-70 standard beverage cans make 1 kg of aluminium.

Is aluminium scrap collection profitable? Yes. At Rs 130-160/kg, aluminium is one of the highest-value common scrap materials (after copper). Even small quantities are worth collecting. A collector accumulating 5-10 kg/day of aluminium can earn Rs 650-1,600.

Where can I sell aluminium scrap near me? Local kabadiwallas, BIN collection points, online scrap platforms, and scrap traders all buy aluminium. For the best rate, compare offers and sell sorted, clean scrap in bulk.

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Rates are indicative and vary by city, grade, and market conditions. For current rates, visit BIN's rate tracker.

Related: Copper Scrap Rate | PET Bottle Scrap Rate | Recycling Business India