Aluminium is one of the most traded non ferrous metals in the UAE scrap market, and for good reason. It is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and endlessly recyclable without losing quality, which keeps demand steady across construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries. If your company generates aluminium scrap from manufacturing, fabrication, demolition, construction, warehouse clearances, or industrial operations, understanding the current aluminium scrap price in the UAE helps you maximize the value of your recoverable materials. Whether you have one ton or hundreds of tons, knowing the market rate ensures you receive a fair return.
At Global Scrap Trading (GST), we are a leading aluminium scrap buyer in the UAE, purchasing bulk aluminium scrap from factories, construction companies, demolition contractors, and industrial facilities. Our aluminium scrap collection services cover Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and all other emirates, with competitive market pricing and free bulk pickup.
What Determines Aluminium Scrap Prices in the UAE
Aluminium scrap price is not a single fixed number. It shifts daily based on several factors, and understanding them puts you in a stronger negotiating position.
Grade and purity
Clean, sorted aluminium such as extrusion profiles or pure sheet metal fetches a much higher rate than mixed or painted aluminium. Contamination from steel, plastic, rubber, or paint coatings lowers the price because it adds processing cost for the buyer.
Global commodity benchmarks
UAE aluminium scrap rates are closely tied to the London Metal Exchange (LME) and, to a lesser extent, the Shanghai Futures Exchange. When LME aluminium prices rise, local scrap rates typically follow within days.
Form and grade classification
The scrap trade uses internationally recognized grade names such as Taint Tabor, Tense, Talon, Zorba, UBC (used beverage cans) , Manufacturing offcuts, Aluminium extrusion scrap, Curtain wall systems, Industrial equipment, HVAC systems, Warehouse racking, Aluminium cable, Oil & gas facilities, Demolition debris and Factory scrap.Each grade commands a different price band depending on alloy content and ease of remelting.
Quantity
Bulk loads, particularly above one tonne, generally unlock better per kilogram rates and often qualify for free pickup, which is standard practice when working with an established scrap for sale partner.
Local demand and export activity
UAE aluminium recyclers and exporters compete for supply, and periods of high construction or industrial activity in Abu Dhabi and Dubai tend to push demand, and therefore prices, upward.
If you want to see how this compares with other metals, our breakdowns of the copper scrap price in UAE and the iron scrap price in UAE cover the same pricing mechanics for those materials.
Current Aluminium Scrap Price Range in UAE
Prices below are indicative market ranges and change frequently with global commodity movements, so always confirm a live quote before finalizing a sale. As a general reference for aluminium scrap rates per kilogram in the UAE:
- Used Beverage Cans (UBC): approximately AED 3 to 4.5 per kg
- Clean Aluminium Extrusion (6063 profile): approximately AED 5 to 7 per kg
- Aluminium Sheet (clean, uncoated): approximately AED 4 to 6 per kg
- Taint and Tabor (mixed cast aluminium): approximately AED 3 to 4 per kg
- Zorba (shredded mixed aluminium): approximately AED 2.5 to 3.5 per kg
- Aluminium Alloy Wheels: approximately AED 4 to 6 per kg
Non ferrous metals like aluminium consistently outperform ferrous scrap such as steel and iron on a per kilogram basis, since they resist rust and can be recycled repeatedly without losing structural quality. For context, general scrap metal rates in the UAE range from roughly AED 0.8 per kg for basic iron up to AED 26 per kg for clean copper, which places aluminium comfortably in the middle of that spectrum depending on grade.
Aluminium vs Copper and Iron Scrap: Where It Stands
If you regularly deal in mixed scrap loads, it helps to understand where aluminium fits relative to other common metals. Copper remains the most valuable metal in the scrap trade due to its excellent conductivity and industrial demand, as detailed in our guide on copper scrap pricing. Iron and steel sit at the lower end of the value chain, though volumes are typically much higher, which we cover in our iron scrap price breakdown.
| Metal | Approx. Price Range (AED/kg) | Value Tier | Common Sources |
| Copper | 20 to 26 | Highest value | Electrical wiring, pipes, industrial cabling |
| Aluminium | 2.5 to 7 | Mid value | Extrusions, sheets, UBC cans, alloy wheels |
| Iron and Steel | 0.8 to 1.5 | Lower value, high volume | Structural beams, sheets, demolition debris |
Aluminium occupies a valuable middle position. It is lighter to transport than steel, more abundant than copper, and its recyclability makes it a consistent revenue source for demolition sites, factories, and workshops. Anyone comparing ferrous and non ferrous metal categories will find aluminium is usually the easiest non ferrous material to source in bulk from construction and demolition activity.
Why Aluminium Scrap Prices Fluctuate So Often
Unlike a retail product with a fixed price tag, scrap aluminium trades more like a commodity. A few forces explain the daily movement:
Global supply chains shift quickly. Export restrictions in major scrap producing countries can tighten UAE domestic supply, pushing local prices higher almost overnight. Currency exchange rate movements also play a role, since much of the scrap trade is priced against the US dollar through LME benchmarks.
Seasonal construction activity matters too. Demand for scrap metal in the UAE often spikes during peak building quarters, particularly in the first and third quarters of the year, as demolition and renovation projects generate large volumes of recoverable aluminium.
Fuel and logistics costs also factor in. Since transporting and processing scrap requires diesel powered equipment and trucking, rising fuel prices get passed along the chain and can compress the price offered to sellers.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Aluminium Scrap
A few practical steps consistently improve the payout on aluminium scrap loads.
Sort by grade
Separating UBC cans from extrusion profiles, sheet, and cast aluminium prevents your entire load from being priced at the lowest common grade.
Clean the material
Remove attached steel fittings, plastic coatings, rubber seals, and painted sections wherever possible. Clean aluminium commands a noticeably better rate than contaminated mixed loads.
Sell in bulk when you can
Consolidating smaller quantities into a single larger pickup, especially loads above one tonne, typically qualifies for improved per kilogram pricing.
Work with a licensed, established buyer
Choosing the right partner protects you from underpayment and delayed settlement. Our guide on how to choose an online scrap buyer and our tips for hiring the right scrap dealer in Dubai walk through exactly what to look for.
Time it strategically
If your project timeline allows flexibility, monitoring market conditions before committing to a sale can help you catch a stronger pricing window.
How GST Buys Aluminium Scrap in the UAE
GST specializes in purchasing bulk aluminium scrap from commercial and industrial clients across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the rest of the UAE. We regularly handle large-volume collections from demolition projects, manufacturing facilities, oil and gas sites, warehouses, commercial buildings, and government asset disposal programs. Whether your project generates 5 tons or 500 tons of aluminium scrap, our team provides competitive market pricing, certified weighing, prompt payment, and complete logistics support.
GST operates as both a licensed demolition contractor and an aluminium recycling company in the UAE, purchasing industrial aluminium scrap directly from businesses. As an established aluminium scrap dealer UAE we help companies maximize the value of their recyclable aluminium while providing reliable collection and prompt payment. which is a meaningful advantage for clients running demolition or renovation projects. Recovered aluminium, along with iron, copper, and other ferrous and non ferrous metals generated on site, is purchased directly by GST at current market rates. This reduces your net project cost instead of leaving you to arrange a separate buyer after demolition is complete.
Our process is straightforward. You reach out with details of your aluminium scrap, whether it is site debris, decommissioned machinery, or industrial offcuts. We provide an instant quote based on real time market pricing. Once agreed, we arrange free bulk pickup and settle payment promptly, with no delays or hidden deductions.
This buyback model applies whether the aluminium comes from a routine waste management contract, a full building teardown, or an industrial site clearance. GST is Tadweer approved for eco friendly recycling and waste handling, and our ISO certifications reflect the quality, environmental, and safety standards we maintain throughout the process. Our services cover the full scope, from collection and sorting to logistics and final settlement.
Bulk Aluminium Scrap Buyers in UAE
We regularly work with businesses looking for reliable aluminium scrap buyers in Abu Dhabi and aluminium scrap buyers in Dubai, providing bulk collection and competitive per-ton pricing throughout the UAE.We regularly buy:
- Aluminium extrusion scrap
- Aluminium sheet scrap
- Aluminium profiles
- Aluminium cable
- Aluminium roofing
- Curtain wall systems
- Aluminium scaffolding
- Industrial aluminium components
- HVAC aluminium
- Aluminium alloy wheels
- Demolition aluminium
- Factory production scrap
Whether your business has 5 tons or 500 tons of aluminium scrap, GST provides competitive market pricing, certified weighing, free bulk collection, and prompt payment across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the rest of the UAE.
Bulk Aluminium Scrap Collection for Businesses Across the UAE
GST specializes in purchasing bulk aluminium scrap from commercial and industrial clients throughout the UAE. We regularly collect aluminium scrap from:
- Construction companies
- Demolition contractors
- Aluminium fabricators
- Manufacturing plants
- Oil & gas companies
- Industrial facilities
- Warehouses and logistics companies
- Government organizations
- Facility management companies
- MEP contractors
Whether your business generates 5 tons or 500 tons of aluminium scrap, GST offers competitive per-ton pricing, certified weighing, free bulk collection, and prompt payment across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the rest of the UAE.
Is Selling Aluminium Scrap Profitable in the UAE?
For businesses generating regular aluminium waste, whether from manufacturing offcuts, HVAC decommissioning, or construction sites, aluminium scrap represents a genuine recurring revenue stream rather than a disposal cost. We explore this in more depth in our article on whether the aluminium scrap business is profitable in the UAE, which covers margins, demand trends, and what it takes to start trading aluminium scrap at scale. If you are considering entering the trade yourself rather than simply selling material, our guide on how to start a scrap business in the UAE is a useful starting point.
Understanding the broader recycling value chain also helps explain why prices hold steady even during slower construction periods. Our piece on the importance of material recycling in scrap dealing covers how recycled aluminium feeds back into industries like automotive, aerospace, and packaging, keeping baseline demand consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average aluminium scrap price per kg in the UAE?
Aluminium scrap in the UAE typically ranges from around AED 2.5 to AED 7 per kg depending on grade, cleanliness, and current market conditions, with clean extrusion and sheet aluminium at the higher end and mixed or cast aluminium at the lower end.
Why does aluminium scrap sell for less than copper?
Copper has higher conductivity and stronger industrial demand relative to available supply, which keeps its scrap value significantly above aluminium and most other common metals.
Does GST offer instant payment for aluminium scrap?
Yes, GST provides an instant quote based on current market rates, followed by free bulk pickup and prompt payment once the transaction is confirmed.
Is bulk aluminium scrap worth more per kg?
Generally yes, since larger loads reduce collection and processing costs for the buyer, which often translates into a better per kilogram rate for the seller.
Conclusion
Aluminium scrap prices in the UAE move with global commodity trends, grade quality, and local demand, but the material consistently holds solid value compared to ferrous metals. Whether you are clearing a construction site, decommissioning equipment, or managing ongoing industrial offcuts, working with a transparent, licensed buyer ensures you are paid fairly and promptly.
Whether your business needs aluminium scrap pickup in the UAE for a one-time demolition project or ongoing factory production scrap, GST offers competitive per-ton pricing, free collection, and prompt payment for bulk aluminium scrap across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the UAE. If your business has bulk aluminium scrap available, contact GST for a free site assessment, competitive per-ton pricing, certified weighing, and prompt payment. We provide collection services throughout the UAE for factories, demolition projects, contractors, industrial facilities, and government organizations.reach out through our contact page or call +971 2 585 8187.
About the Author
Ibrahim Khan is the CEO of Global Scrap Trading (GST), an ISO certified, ADNOC approved, and Tadweer approved demolition and scrap trading company based in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. With over 10 years of hands on experience in the UAE scrap and demolition industry, Ibrahim has led projects for clients including ADNOC, ENEC, Baker Hughes, and Dubai Municipality, and writes regularly on scrap pricing, demolition practices, and sustainable material recovery across the UAE.