Top Scrap Metal Processing Suppliers in the U.S.A.

From automotive plants and construction sites to appliance manufacturers and machine shops, scrap metal is an unavoidable byproduct of industrial activity. What happens next is critical. Scrap metal processors serve as the connective tissue between manufacturers generating excess metal and mills, foundries, and smelters that rely on recycled inputs.

As demand for sustainable materials intensifies and domestic manufacturing continues to emphasize cost efficiency and supply security, scrap metal processing has become an increasingly strategic segment of the industrial economy. Today’s processors are not simply collecting and reselling scrap. They are investing in advanced sorting, processing, and logistics capabilities to meet stricter quality standards and environmental expectations.

This article examines the current state of the U.S. scrap metal processing industry, explores the trends shaping the sector, and highlights both the largest processors and IndustryNet’s top suppliers driving the market forward.

Key Facts on U.S. Scrap Metal Processing Suppliers

According to MNI, compiler and publisher of industrial business profiles for the U.S. industrial sector and informational engine behind IndustryNet, surveyed the nation’s more than 300 scrap metal processors, directly collecting key data points on this essential industry.

•  There are currently 330+ scrap metal processing suppliers in the U.S.
• 10,000+workers are employed in this subset nationwide.
• Employment amongst U.S. scrap metal companies has grown 2.8% in the past year (2026 data)
• Average reported sales for America’s scrap metal processing providers stands at $12 billion.
•  22% of scrap metal processing companies in the U.S. report international distribution.
• 11% report they import raw materials.
• The greater Midwest accounts for the largest share of scrap metal processing suppliers, with 45%, followed by the U.S. South with 34%. The East Coast region encompasses 14% and Pacific/Mountain region 7%.

Largest Scrap Metal Processing Companies in the U.S.

Scale matters in scrap metal processing. The largest processors combine extensive yard networks, advanced sorting technology, and strong mill relationships to handle high volumes of ferrous and nonferrous material. Based on employee count, the following companies represent some of the most significant players in the U.S. scrap metal processing industry. These firms operate regionally, nationally, and internationally, supporting steel mills, foundries, smelters, and manufacturers with consistent recycled metal supply.

About the Largest Scrap Metal Processing Suppliers

Audubon Metals, LLC
Henderson, KY | 300 Employees | Est. 1996 | International | Private

Audubon Metals specializes in aluminum scrap reprocessing and the production of secondary aluminum alloys. Serving customers internationally, the company plays a key role in transforming aluminum scrap into value-added alloy products used across automotive and industrial applications. Its focus on aluminum positions it squarely within the growing demand for lightweight, recyclable materials.

• Metal Source, LLC
  Wabash, IN | 300 Employees | Est. 2000 | National | LLC

Metal Source concentrates on aluminum and zinc scrap metal recycling, supplying processed materials to domestic markets. With a national distribution footprint, the company supports manufacturers seeking dependable secondary metal inputs and contributes to the broader shift toward domestic recycled material sourcing.

• Radius Recycling, Inc.
  Portland, OR | 175 Employees | Est. 1906 | International | Public Corporation

Headquartered in Portland, Radius Recycling operates across steel manufacturing and scrap metal recycling, in addition to used auto parts recovery. With roots dating back to 1906, the company reflects the long-standing integration between scrap processing and steel production. Its international reach strengthens its position in both domestic and export markets.

• Sims Metal
  Chicago, IL | 175 Employees | Est. 1938 | International | Public Corporation

Sims Metal is a global processor of scrap iron, steel, and nonferrous metals. With significant operational scale, including large facility footprints, Sims supports industrial customers with high-volume processing capabilities and access to international metal markets. The company’s longevity and public ownership underscore its established presence in the sector.

• TOTALL Metal Recycling, Inc.
  Granite City, IL | 155 Employees | Est. 1999 | International | Private | ISO 9001 Certified

TOTALL Metal Recycling operates internationally and maintains ISO 9001 certification, signaling structured quality management in its scrap metal recycling operations. The company’s large facility footprint supports significant throughput of ferrous and nonferrous materials for industrial reuse.

• SA Recycling, LLC
  Nashville, TN | 150 Employees | Est. 1954 | International | LLC

SA Recycling processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap iron and metals, operating across international markets. With decades of industry experience, the company supports mills and industrial buyers through broad scrap procurement and processing capabilities.

• Radius Recycling, Inc.
  Tacoma, WA | 140 Employees | Est. 1960 | International | Public Corporation

Operating in Tacoma, this Radius Recycling facility focuses on scrap metal processing within the company’s broader international network. Its Pacific Northwest presence strengthens supply channels to both domestic mills and export markets.

• Tri-State Iron & Metal Co.
  Texarkana, AR | 139 Employees | Est. 1947 | Local | Private

Tri-State Iron & Metal serves as a regional wholesaler of scrap metals. With a strong local distribution focus, the company supports area manufacturers and industrial clients through scrap procurement and resale services.

• Metro Metals Northwest, Inc.
  Portland, OR | 130 Employees | Est. 1991 | Private

Metro Metals Northwest operates as a scrap metal recycling headquarters in Portland, contributing to the Pacific Northwest’s recycled metals infrastructure. The company provides processing services that feed both domestic and regional industrial markets.

• Universal Scrap Metals, Inc.
  Chicago, IL | 125 Employees | Est. 1972 | International | Private Sub-S Corporation

Universal Scrap Metals processes and wholesales recycled ferrous, nonferrous, and precious metals, including stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and electronic waste. With international reach, the company supports both traditional metal recycling and growing demand for specialty and e-scrap recovery services.

Together, these large-scale processors anchor the U.S. scrap metal ecosystem, supplying recycled material to the steel, aluminum, and specialty metal industries while supporting domestic manufacturing, sustainability initiatives, and circular economy objectives.

Next, we will examine IndustryNet’s top scrap metal processing suppliers.

IndustryNet’s Top Scrap Metal Processing Suppliers

Beyond the industry’s largest national operators, a strong network of regional and specialty processors plays a critical role in keeping recycled metals moving through local and national supply chains. The following companies represent IndustryNet’s top scrap metal processing suppliers, known for their reliability, longevity, and diverse processing capabilities.

A & W Iron & Metal, Inc.

Kewaskum, WI
A & W Iron & Metal focuses on recyclable metals and nonferrous materials, serving regional manufacturers and industrial customers. By processing and marketing both ferrous and nonferrous scrap, the company supports domestic mills and secondary metal producers with recovered raw materials.

Marion Iron Co., Inc.

Marion, IA
Marion Iron Co. specializes in scrap iron processing, handling ferrous materials that feed directly into steel production. Its operations help regional manufacturers manage excess metal while supplying mills with processed scrap ready for reuse.

Rogers Iron & Metal Corp.

Rogers, AR
Rogers Iron & Metal provides scrap metal processing services to industrial, commercial, and individual suppliers. Known for its customer accessibility and straightforward operations, the company processes ferrous and nonferrous metals for resale into manufacturing channels.

Sabel Steel, Scrap Metal Division

Montgomery, AL
Sabel Steel’s Scrap Metal Division operates alongside its steel service center and rebar fabrication operations, creating a vertically integrated metal supply model. By combining scrap recycling with steel processing and engineering services, the company supports construction and industrial markets across the region.

Yaffe Iron & Metal Corp.

Fort Smith, AR
Yaffe Iron & Metal processes scrap metal for industrial reuse, supplying ferrous and nonferrous materials to mills and manufacturers. The company contributes to efficient metal recovery in Arkansas and surrounding states.

B & B Metals Processing Co., Inc.

Newton, WI
With more than 40 years in business, B & B Metals Processing handles scrap metal processing for a variety of industrial customers. Its long-standing presence reflects steady demand for regional recycling services that keep valuable metals in circulation.

P.J. Greco Sons, Inc.

Tarentum, PA
P.J. Greco Sons processes scrap iron and metal, serving manufacturers and industrial clients in Pennsylvania and beyond. The company supports the steel industry by preparing recovered metals for re-melting and manufacturing applications.

Rivers Edge Scrap Management

Kansas City, KS
Rivers Edge Scrap Management provides scrap metal processing services within the Midwest. The company assists commercial and industrial customers in recovering ferrous and nonferrous materials for resale and recycling.

Stratton Metals, LLC

Richmond, VA
Founded in 1887, Stratton Metals brings more than a century of experience to the scrap processing industry. The company recycles all types of metals and offers wire processing, nonferrous metal wholesaling, and roll-off container services, helping industrial clients manage scrap efficiently from collection through resale.

Allied Scrap Processors, Inc.

Lakeland, FL
Allied Scrap Processors operates as a wholesaler of scrap metal, connecting recovered materials with downstream buyers. The company supports Florida’s manufacturing and construction sectors by keeping metal resources circulating locally and nationally.

Andersen Wrecking Company, Inc.

Kearney, NE
Andersen Wrecking combines scrap metal wholesaling with automotive parts distribution and industrial container services. By integrating dismantling, recycling, and resale operations, the company provides comprehensive metal recovery solutions for commercial and industrial customers.

Together, these companies highlight the depth and diversity of the U.S. scrap metal processing landscape, where regional specialists work alongside large national players to ensure that recyclable metals remain a dependable, cost-effective input for American manufacturing.

Didion-Orf Recycling, Inc.

St. Peters, MO
Didion-Orf Recycling processes both ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals while also reclaiming valuable materials from recycled electronics such as computers, cellphones, and tablets. The company serves industrial generators of scrap as well as electronic waste streams, positioning itself at the intersection of traditional metal recycling and growing e-waste recovery markets.

Ferrous Processing & Trading Co.

Detroit, MI
Ferrous Processing & Trading Co. is a major handler of both ferrous and nonferrous metals, supplying processed scrap to domestic and international consumers. Operating from the heart of the Midwest manufacturing corridor, the company plays a key role in supporting steel mills and foundries with consistent, quality-controlled recycled inputs.

Fortune Metal Group, Inc.

Rahway, NJ
Fortune Metal Group focuses on scrap metal recycling, collecting, processing, and preparing materials for resale into secondary metal markets. Serving industrial, commercial, and demolition customers, the company contributes to regional recycling infrastructure in the Northeast.

P & W Industries, L.L.C.

Mandeville, LA
P & W Industries purchases scrap metal and markets used and surplus steel, pipe, bollards, and covers. In addition to metal recycling, the company processes concrete for use as road base material, offering diversified material recovery services to contractors and industrial clients across the Gulf Coast region.

Sims Metal

Chicago, IL & Spark, NV
Sims Metal’s Chicago operation processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal as well as electronic waste. The facility specializes in large-scale recycling projects, including buses, railcars, aluminum trailers, and stainless steel operations, serving industrial and transportation-sector customers throughout the Midwest. The Sparks facility of Sims Metal handles both metal scrap and electronic waste, with expertise in transportation equipment recycling and stainless steel processing. 

Western Metals Recycling, LLC

Grand Junction, CO
Western Metals Recycling buys both ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal from industrial, commercial, and individual sellers. The company operates as a regional recycler, channeling processed scrap back into the manufacturing supply chain across the Mountain West.

Winston Brothers Iron & Metal Co., Inc.

Detroit, MI
Winston Brothers Iron & Metal functions as a wholesaler of recycled scrap metal, supplying mills and industrial consumers with processed ferrous and nonferrous materials. Located in Detroit, the company operates within one of the nation’s most active manufacturing and automotive markets.

Wyoming Salvage Co.

Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming Salvage Co. provides scrap metal processing services, including the purchase and resale of nonferrous metals and site clean-up work. Serving industrial and construction customers, the company plays a key role in keeping scrap materials circulating within the regional economy.

See all 330+ U.S. scrap metal processing suppliers here.

What Scrap Metal Processing Involves

Scrap metal processing is the industrial preparation of discarded metal for reuse in manufacturing. The process ensures that scrap meets the chemical, size, and cleanliness specifications required by steel mills, aluminum smelters, and specialty metal producers.

Core activities typically include:

• Collection & Procurement: Sourcing scrap from manufacturers, demolition sites, auto dismantlers, utilities, and industrial operations.
• Sorting & Separation: Using magnets, eddy current systems, optical sorters, and manual inspection to separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals and isolate grades.
• Shearing, Shredding & Baling: Reducing material size to meet mill specifications and optimize transportation efficiency.
• Processing & Upgrading: Removing contaminants such as coatings, plastics, oils, or other residual materials.
• Brokerage & Distribution: Supplying processed scrap to domestic and international mills, foundries, and smelters.

Scrap metal generally falls into two categories:

• Ferrous Metals: Iron and steel-based materials, often derived from manufacturing offcuts, structural demolition, or end-of-life vehicles.
• Non-Ferrous Metals: Aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and other high-value metals used across aerospace, automotive, electrical, and construction industries.

In many cases, processors provide container services, industrial cleanouts, demolition support, and logistics coordination, making them integral partners to manufacturers.

Key Trends in Scrap Metal Processing

1. Sustainability & Circular Economy Momentum

Recycled metal requires significantly less energy to produce than virgin material. Steel made from scrap can reduce carbon emissions dramatically compared to blast furnace production. As ESG reporting and decarbonization initiatives accelerate, scrap processors are positioned as essential contributors to industrial sustainability goals.

Manufacturers are increasingly seeking closed-loop recycling programs, returning scrap directly to processors who can supply mills producing their next generation of materials.

2. Domestic Supply Chain Reshoring

With global supply chains under pressure, U.S. manufacturers are emphasizing domestic material sourcing. Scrap metal provides a stable, domestic feedstock for electric arc furnace steel production and secondary aluminum smelting. This shift supports demand for reliable scrap processors with consistent volume and quality control.

3. Advanced Sorting Technology

Modern facilities are adopting automated separation systems, AI-driven material recognition, and sensor-based sorting technologies. These investments improve recovery rates, reduce contamination, and increase the value of processed scrap.

Higher-grade output translates into stronger margins and better mill relationships.

4. Volatility in Commodity Pricing

Scrap metal pricing is highly sensitive to global steel demand, construction activity, automotive production, and export markets. Processors must manage inventory carefully and maintain strong mill contracts to navigate price swings.

Companies with diversified metal streams and regional footprint tend to be more resilient.

5. Infrastructure & EV Growth

Infrastructure spending, renewable energy projects, and electric vehicle production are increasing demand for copper, aluminum, and specialty alloys. Non-ferrous scrap processors in particular are benefiting from higher demand for conductive and lightweight materials.

6. Environmental Compliance & Reporting

Regulatory scrutiny around stormwater management, air emissions, and hazardous material handling has increased. Processors are investing in improved environmental controls and certifications to meet state and federal compliance standards.

Facilities with strong environmental programs often gain preferred-supplier status with major industrial clients.

7. Consolidation in the Industry

The scrap metal sector has seen ongoing consolidation, with large regional and national players acquiring smaller yards. Scale provides advantages in logistics, mill relationships, export capabilities, and technology investments.

At the same time, independent regional processors remain highly competitive due to local relationships and specialized expertise.

Scrap metal processing may not always be visible in the manufacturing spotlight, but it is foundational to modern industry. It enables cost efficiency, supports sustainability goals, and ensures that valuable metals remain in productive circulation.

The Easiest Way to Quote Scrap Metal Suppliers

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About This Data

MNI collects detailed information firsthand, making direct contact with each industrial company in the U.S to verify multiple data points about their business. While this data is used to power a variety of industrial solutions, it also yields key insights and statistics as a natural outcome of our hand-verified collection process.

This data forms the informational engine behind IndustrySelect, which offers real-time access to detailed company and executive profiles for sales, marketing, recruiting, and research. MNI data also powers IndustryNet, an industrial sourcing platform that connects buyers with industrial suppliers across thousands of product categories. Both platforms are designed to help professionals find accurate, up-to-date information for sales and business development, prospecting, and procurement. Learn more at www.mni.net

Editor's note: The article was originally published in December 2020. It has been updated to reflect new statistics.