ISRI Talks International Trade
Buyer’s Guide
Adina Renee Adler ISRI VP of Advocacy
In what ways have countries changed their trade policies and/or regulations that affect scrap trade in response to the coronavirus? Countries rightly have had to prioritize the health and wel- fare of their people, and for most countries that means ensur- ing they get the food and medical supplies they need from overseas sources if they don’t have them at home. So while in some regions, such as North America and Europe, recycling was deemed essential, governments are relaxing certain trade policies to make it easier to import food and medical goods but leaving in place tariff and non-tariff barriers on other products. In Asia, it has been a mixed response in terms of designating recycling as essential, so while trade policies are not being used, the sudden lack of purchasing in these regions has had a serious impact on scrap exporters. India is where we have seen the most disruption.The national lockdown there closed all recycling operations and most manufacturing, and ports re- mained open for food and medical goods only. Has ISRI objected to any of the changes on behalf of members? We have not objected to COVID-related measures, but we have interceded on a few occasions to ensure the situation is made easier for our members. For example, ISRI sent let- ters to senior Indian government officials appealing for a relaxation of storage, demurrage and other port fees until the time when our customers can claim containers. In Indo- nesia, new import regulations announced in late 2019 are being implemented without clear guidance, so we sent let- ters to several government ministers there asking them to put this guidance into writing. How have the trade policy/regulatory changes af- fected ISRI members who export scrap? A lack of clarity in the policy and regulatory changes cre- ates challenges for our members trying to comply with these regulations, which can create uncertainties and discourage trade.We are doing our best to know what the obligations are for exporters and to provide guidance to our members that ask us for it. Do you expect countries to impose other corona- virus-related restrictions on scrap shipments in the coming months? I don’t expect policies that directly target scrap, but I think we’ll have to keep a close eye on a couple of points: How will manufacturers realign supply chains at the behest of government leaders putting pressure on them to source more at home? And how will certain governments require a “green recovery” that may affect trade, such as in Europe with its Green Deal and Circular Economy policies? Will these coronavirus-related changes alter the in- ternational scrap trade in fundamental ways in the longer term? Anything is possible. If supply chains and purchasing be- havior shift, we could see the impacts of those changes for many years to come.
RECYCLING SYSTEMS
HARRIS 315 W. 12th Ave. • Cordele, GA 31015 (229) 273-2500 Website: www.harrisequip.com E-mail: info@harrisequip SIERRA INTERNATIONAL MACHINERY 1620 E Brundage Ln • Bakersfield CA 93307 (800) 343-8503
Website: www.sierraintl.com E-mail: info@sierraintl.com
SHERBROOKE O.E.M. LTD. 3425 Boulevard Industrial • Sherbrooke, QC J1L 2WI
(819) 563-7374 • Fax: (819) 563-7556 Website: www.sherbrooke-oem.com E-mail: mtremblay@sherbrooke-oem.com
SHREDDERS
ALLEGHENY SHREDDERS Old William Penn Hwy East • Delmont, PA 15626 (800) 245-2497 • Fax: (724) 468-5919 Website: www.alleghenyshredders.com E-mail: solutions@alleghenyshredders.com VAN DYK RECYCLING SOLUTIONS 78 Halloween Blvd. • Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 967-1100 • Fax: (203) 967-1199 Website: www.vdrs.com Email: info@vdrs.com
SORTING SYSTEMS
HUSTLER CONVEYOR CO. 4101 Crusher Dr. • O’Fallon, MO 63368 (636) 441-8600 • Fax: (636) 441-8611 Website: www.hustler-conveyor.com E-mail: info@hustler-conveyor.com VAN DYK RECYCLING SOLUTIONS 78 Halloween Blvd. • Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 967-1100 • Fax: (203) 967-1199 Website: www.vdrs.com Email: info@vdrs.com
Recycling Markets May 25, 2020 9
www.nvpublications.com
Made with FlippingBook HTML5