Aluminium as a Secondary Raw Material in the Energy Sector
Aluminium has dominated the construction of overhead power lines for decades. Its low weight, corrosion resistance and good electrical conductivity make it the preferred material for both high-voltage transmission lines and local medium- and low-voltage distribution networks. When a line is dismantled — due to network modernisation, decommissioning of old infrastructure or replacement following a failure — a significant amount of material remains on site, with very real market value.
At EURO-SCRAP, we purchase aluminium from exactly these kinds of sources: bare conductors of the AFL and ACSR type (with steel core), insulated cables, busbars and other aluminium components from energy infrastructure. Every batch is weighed on a certified scale, and pricing is based on current metal exchange rates.
Types of Aluminium Cables and Conductors We Buy
Not all aluminium is the same — both in terms of alloy composition and the form in which it arrives at the scrap yard. It is worth knowing exactly what you have to offer, as this directly affects the price.
- Bare AFL and ACSR conductors — aluminium conductors with a steel core, widely used in medium- and high-voltage overhead lines. The steel core is an integral part of the cross-section, so the entire conductor is valued as mixed scrap (aluminium with steel). The price is lower than for pure aluminium, but delivery volumes of this type tend to be large.
- Aluminium cables with PVC or XLPE insulation — both underground cables and cables laid in cable trays or ducts. The insulation reduces the metal content per kilogram of cable, so pricing takes into account the estimated proportion of aluminium in the cross-section.
- Aluminium busbars and profiles — components from switchgear, control cabinets and transformer stations. If they are unpainted and not combined with other metals, their price is close to that of pure aluminium.
- Connectors, clamps and small aluminium components — purchased in bulk, usually after prior sorting to remove steel elements.
What Affects the Scrap Price of Aluminium After Line Dismantling
Type and Purity of the Material
The key factor is the degree of contamination of the material. An aluminium conductor with a steel core (ACSR) typically contains between 6 and 10% steel by total mass — this significantly lowers the valuation compared to pure aluminium. Insulated cables are priced taking into account the weight of the insulation, which has no value as metal. If you want a higher price, it is worth stripping the cable or at least knowing the declared cross-section of the aluminium conductor.
Current Market Rates
Aluminium prices, like those of other non-ferrous metals, are linked to London Metal Exchange (LME) quotes. This means that the buying price changes regularly — sometimes from day to day. At EURO-SCRAP we update our prices on an ongoing basis, and a full scrap buying price list is available on our website. If you are planning to deliver a larger batch, it is worth calling ahead to confirm the current rate before you travel.
Weight of a Single Delivery
When it comes to buying non-ferrous metals, the size of the batch matters. Large deliveries — several hundred kilograms or a few tonnes of conductors from a dismantled line — allow for more favourable pricing terms. Companies carrying out dismantling work on energy networks can count on individually negotiated buying conditions.
Formalities When Selling Aluminium Cables and Conductors
The purchase of non-ferrous metals, including aluminium from energy infrastructure, is subject to specific legal requirements. For private individuals, we require a valid identity document — without exception. Companies carrying out dismantling on behalf of a network operator or on an investor's commission should have documentation confirming the legal origin of the material: a dismantling report, a work order or a purchase invoice for the installation.
EURO-SCRAP maintains records of purchased waste in accordance with the requirements of the BDO system (Waste Database). For companies delivering scrap as part of their business activity, we issue the relevant documents confirming the receipt and transfer of waste for recycling — which is important for environmental reporting and audits.
How to Prepare the Material Before Delivery
We do not require any special preparation of the material, but a few simple steps can increase the final buying price:
- Separate purely aluminium conductors (e.g. AL, A) from conductors with a steel core (ACSR, AFL) — they are priced differently.
- If you have cables with thick insulation and time permits — consider mechanical stripping, or inform us of the declared conductor cross-section.
- Remove steel components: hooks, bolts, steel clamps — if mixed with aluminium, the entire batch may be valued at a lower rate.
- Sort the material by type, even approximately — this makes pricing easier and speeds up processing at the counter.
Where to Deliver Aluminium from Dismantling — EURO-SCRAP Locations
We serve private customers and businesses from across the Greater Poland region. Our scrap buying points are located to ensure the shortest possible journey regardless of which side of Poznań you are travelling from with your material. If you are carrying out dismantling in the western part of the agglomeration, check our scrap buying point in Tarnowo Podgórne or scrap buying point in Komorniki. For companies operating to the east of Poznań, a convenient option is the scrap buying point in Swarzędz.
For larger batches — several tonnes of conductors from a dismantled overhead line — we can arrange collection directly from the dismantling site. Contact us by phone to discuss logistics and obtain a preliminary valuation.
Aluminium vs Copper — Which Metal Is Worth More
This is a question that often comes up when selling energy cables. The answer is straightforward: copper is more expensive per kilogram — sometimes three to four times more. However, aluminium is significantly lighter, so the same kilometres of overhead line represent a far greater mass of aluminium than if built from copper. In practice, a great deal depends on what you are actually removing from the poles. If you have copper cables, we encourage you to check our copper buying price list, which we update on a regular basis.
It is worth remembering that aluminium recycling is exceptionally energy-efficient — remelting secondary material requires only around 5% of the energy needed to produce aluminium from bauxite. Every tonne of aluminium delivered to a scrap yard rather than ending up in landfill represents a real, measurable environmental benefit.
Summary — Aluminium from the Energy Sector Is Valuable Scrap
Dismantling overhead power lines, transformer stations or cable networks generates material with a concrete market value. Aluminium — whether bare ACSR conductors, insulated cables or switchgear busbars — is purchased, weighed and priced on the basis of current market rates. The formalities are straightforward, and all documentation required by law is handled by us as standard. If you have a larger batch of material from a dismantling project to deliver, call us before you come — we will agree on the terms and make sure everything goes smoothly.
