Zhangjiagang Quarantine and Inspection Bureau reported that the city’s port imported a total of 210,000 tons of scrap steel in April, worth US$110m, up 200 per cent and 295 per cent year-on-year respectively. During the first four months of 2011, scrap steel imports totalled 720,000 tons, worth US$330m, up 24 per cent and 52 per cent respectively.

The rising price of imported iron ore has led to steel manufacturers buying more scrap, according to the bureau. Scrap imports are also encouraged at different government levels to promote recycling and reduce emissions.