The Bureau of International Recycling reports that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism & EU steel safeguard measures cut import penetration into the European stainless steel market by around fifty percent in early Q2 2026. At the same time, stainless steel scrap prices have softened due to weaker nickel prices, holiday shutdowns & cautious mill purchasing. Superalloy scrap demand stays firm, driven by aerospace & energy sectors. Middle Eastern buyers prioritise supply security over cost amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.