The aluminium scrap market in India is growing rapidly as industries shift toward recycled metal to reduce costs and meet sustainability targets. But not all aluminium scrap is equal. The grade of scrap you buy directly affects recovery rate, furnace performance and final product quality. Whether you are a remelter, foundry or procurement manager, knowing the differences between the main aluminium scrap grades helps you negotiate better and avoid costly rejections.

Why Aluminium Scrap Grades Matter for Buyers

Aluminium scrap is priced based on purity, alloy composition, contamination level and physical form. A load of mixed, contaminated scrap can lose 10–20% of its value at the furnace. Organised segregation at the source — by factories and scrap suppliers in Bangalore — protects both buyer and seller.

• Higher purity means higher recovery and lower dross loss
• Grade consistency reduces furnace downtime and rework
• Proper grading simplifies audits, ESG reporting and compliance

Grade 1: Aluminium Wire Scrap

Aluminium wire scrap is one of the cleanest and most sought-after grades. It typically comes from electrical cable manufacturing, conductor production and wire drawing units. Because it is drawn from high-purity aluminium, wire scrap commands premium pricing among aluminium scrap grades.

• Source: cable plants, wire rod mills, electrical component factories
• Purity: usually 99%+ aluminium content
• Buyer checklist: check for insulation residue, steel core wires and oily contamination

Grade 2: Aluminium Extrusion Scrap

Aluminium extrusion scrap is generated by window, door, furniture and industrial profile manufacturers. It includes cut-offs, rejected profiles and clean 6063 alloy sections. Extrusion scrap is the workhorse grade for Indian remelters because of its consistent 6063/6060 alloy composition.

• Source: extrusion plants, aluminium fabrication units, fenestration industries
• Alloy: predominantly 6063, ideal for billet remelting
• Buyer checklist: remove rubber gaskets, plastic inserts, screws and thermal break material

Grade 3: Aluminium Sheet Scrap

Aluminium sheet scrap comes from sheet metal processing, cookware manufacturing, aerospace fabrication and automotive body shops. It varies widely in alloy — from soft 1000-series sheets to harder 3000 and 5000-series plates — so buyers must verify alloy composition before purchase.

• Source: sheet metal shops, utensil factories, panel fabricators
• Forms: punching waste, skeletons, offcuts, used sheets
• Buyer checklist: watch for paint, laminates, composite panels and mixed alloys

Grade 4: Aluminium Alloy Wheel Scrap

Aluminium alloy wheel scrap is sourced from automotive OEMs, wheel manufacturers and vehicle dismantlers. Wheels are typically A356 or similar casting alloys with high silicon content, making them valuable for foundry applications.

• Source: auto plants, alloy wheel manufacturers, vehicle scrapping facilities
• Alloy: A356 / LM25-type casting alloys
• Buyer checklist: remove tyres, valve stems, wheel weights and steel inserts

Aluminium Scrap Grades Comparison Table

How to Evaluate Aluminium Scrap Before Buying

• Request a sample and lab test report for alloy verification
• Inspect for contamination: oil, plastic, rubber, steel and paint
• Confirm moisture content — wet scrap distorts weight and pricing
• Check documentation: weighbridge slips, GST invoices and ESG traceability

At Metal Island, we help buyers across Bangalore and pan India source verified aluminium scrap grades — from clean wire and extrusion to sheet and wheel scrap — with transparent pricing, lab-tested quality and KSPCB-compliant handling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Knowing your aluminium scrap grades — wire, extrusion, sheet and wheel — is the foundation of smart procurement. Buyers who verify alloy, purity and contamination before purchase achieve better recovery rates, lower furnace losses and stronger compliance. Partnering with a certified Bangalore scrap supplier like Metal Island ensures every load meets your quality expectations.