Secondary Smelting & Refining of Nonferrous Metals

Secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals under SIC 3341 turns scrap aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc, and specialty alloys into new ingot, billet, and refined feedstock sold to automakers, aerospace primes, electronics assemblers, building-products makers, and battery and cable manufacturers that demand certified recycled content. Operators earn margins on metal recovery, tolling, and alloy customization while navigating volatile commodity prices, feedstock availability, and strict environmental and worker-safety rules from EPA and OSHA, including emissions control, hazardous waste handling, and tightening recycling standards. In 2024-2025, the sector is shaped by surging EV and grid demand, rapid growth in lithium-ion battery and e-waste recycling, investments in low-carbon furnaces and digital furnace-control systems, and ongoing geopolitical shocks that reprioritize domestic sourcing. Companies that secure stable scrap streams, validate chain-of-custody, and decarbonize their melt operations are best positioned. For timely disclosures and risk factors, view live SEC filings on Earnings Feed.

Source: Earnings Feed research · last fetched 11/23/2025