Straight answers to the questions we hear most from aluminium and scrap metal sellers across Birmingham, the West Midlands and the wider UK — from a licensed, Environment Agency registered waste carrier (CBDU622654).
Selling scrap to us
Where can I sell aluminium scrap in Birmingham?
You can sell aluminium scrap to Data Vision Tech Solutions, a licensed buyer based at 1082 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8AD. We buy all aluminium grades from trade and public sellers, weigh and grade on receipt, and pay by bank transfer. Call +44 7442 001088 or request a quote.
Who buys aluminium scrap near me?
If you are in Birmingham or the West Midlands, Data Vision Tech Solutions buys aluminium scrap directly — extrusion, sheet, cast, cans, turnings and mixed grades. We collect from businesses across the region, or you can deliver to our Hall Green base.
What's the best place to sell scrap aluminium in the West Midlands?
Sell to a licensed, registered dealer that pays traceably and gives you proper paperwork. Data Vision is a licensed Birmingham buyer and Environment Agency registered waste carrier (CBDU622654) serving the whole West Midlands, paying by bank transfer against a weighbridge ticket.
How do I sell factory aluminium offcuts in the UK?
Tell us the alloy or grade and rough monthly volume; we agree a price against the day's market, arrange scheduled collection as a registered waste carrier, weigh and grade on site, then pay by bank transfer with a waste transfer note. Ideal for extrusion offcuts, sheet trim and swarf.
How do I get a quote for scrap aluminium in Birmingham?
Send a description of your material (grade if known), a rough quantity and your location through our contact form, or call +44 7442 001088. We give an indicative price against the current market and confirm it on inspection.
Is there a licensed scrap metal dealer in Hall Green?
Yes — Data Vision Tech Solutions operates from 1082 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8AD. We are a UK-registered company (16681514) and an Environment Agency registered upper-tier waste carrier (CBDU622654).
How does selling aluminium scrap to a dealer work?
You either deliver your scrap to a licensed dealer or arrange collection; the dealer weighs and grades it, then pays you by bank transfer against the agreed price. We confirm grade and weight on receipt, price against the day's market, and pay straight to your bank account — never cash, as required by law.
Do I need to be a business to sell aluminium scrap?
No — we buy from both businesses and the public, though trade and factory sellers with regular volume get the best rates. Whoever you are, payment is by bank transfer and we will need valid ID.
What we buy and aluminium grades
Which company buys UBC aluminium cans in Birmingham?
Data Vision Tech Solutions buys used beverage cans (UBC) along with other aluminium grades in Birmingham. UBC is a recognised high-volume grade; we weigh it, grade it, and pay by bank transfer.
Can I sell aluminium extrusion scrap in bulk in the UK?
Yes — clean 6xxx extrusion is our priority stream. We buy bulk extrusion offcuts and profile from fabricators and factories nationwide, arrange container-scale logistics, and supply it into our closed-loop chain with RA Recycle Service in India.
Where can I sell aluminium swarf and turnings in the UK?
Data Vision buys aluminium swarf and turnings (machining waste). Because turnings carry oil and fines, they are priced by cleanliness and moisture; we quote on a representative sample and collect as a registered waste carrier.
What are the different grades of aluminium scrap?
Aluminium scrap is graded by alloy family and cleanliness — broadly clean wrought (extrusion, sheet), cast, used beverage cans (UBC), and mixed or coated material, each priced differently. The trade uses ISRI codes (e.g. Tabloid, Taldon, Twitch) as a common language.
What is 'tabloid' aluminium scrap?
'Tabloid' is an ISRI code for clean, low-copper aluminium scrap — typically clean sheet or extrusion free of attachments. It is a high-value wrought grade because its chemistry remelts predictably.
What does ISRI grade mean for aluminium scrap?
ISRI codes are the scrap industry's standard names (e.g. Tabloid, Taldon, Tense, Twitch) defining each grade's composition and cleanliness. They give buyers and sellers a common language so a load is priced consistently.
How do I tell cast aluminium from wrought aluminium?
Cast aluminium is moulded into shapes (engine parts, brackets) and tends to snap rather than bend, while wrought aluminium is rolled or extruded (sheet, frames, profiles) and bends. They are different alloy families and are priced and kept separate.
What is the difference between 6xxx and 3xxx aluminium scrap?
6xxx is the extrusion family (magnesium-silicon — window frames, profiles); 3xxx is a manganese sheet family (panels, some cans). They have different chemistries and value, so dealers keep them separate to preserve grade.
What counts as clean aluminium extrusion scrap?
Clean extrusion is aluminium profile (typically 6xxx alloy) free of thermal-break plastic, screws, rubber and other attachments. Because its chemistry is predictable and it remelts cleanly, it is one of the highest-value grades and our priority stream.
What is twitch aluminium scrap?
'Twitch' is the ISRI name for floated aluminium from shredded scrap — small clean aluminium pieces recovered by sink-float separation. It is a recognised traded grade used in remelting.
Why do dealers separate aluminium scrap by alloy?
Because each alloy family has a different chemistry and end use; mixing them lowers the value of the whole load. Keeping extrusion, cast, sheet and cans separate means each is paid at its true grade price.
Aluminium scrap prices
How much is aluminium scrap worth per kg in the UK?
Aluminium scrap typically trades at a fraction of the LME aluminium price, varying by grade — clean extrusion and UBC fetch more than mixed or painted material. Prices move daily with the market, so ask for a current quote on your specific grade.
What is the current aluminium scrap price in Birmingham?
Aluminium scrap prices move daily with the LME and vary by grade, so we do not publish a fixed figure. Contact us for a current quote on your specific grade — clean extrusion and UBC price highest.
How is aluminium scrap price calculated?
It is benchmarked against the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price, then discounted by grade, contamination, processing and the dealer's margin. That is why a clean known grade earns far more than a mixed load.
Why is clean aluminium scrap worth more than mixed?
Clean, single-grade aluminium has known chemistry and remelts with minimal loss, so it earns close to its grade value. Mixed or contaminated material must be sorted or carries melt loss, so it is discounted.
What's the price difference between cast and wrought aluminium scrap?
Wrought grades (clean extrusion, sheet) generally price above cast because their chemistry is more predictable and they remelt with less loss. Exact spreads move with the market — ask for a current quote.
How much do aluminium cans sell for as scrap in the UK?
Used beverage cans (UBC) trade as a distinct grade priced off the aluminium market; value depends on whether they are loose, baled, clean and dry. Ask for today's UBC rate on your quantity.
What affects the price of aluminium extrusion scrap?
Four things: the alloy grade, how clean it is (attachments and contamination are deducted), any coating or paint (burn-off loss), and moisture or dirt. Clean, single-grade, dry loads always price best.
Is aluminium scrap price linked to the LME?
Yes. The London Metal Exchange (LME) sets the world benchmark price for primary aluminium; scrap is priced at a discount to it by grade, cleanliness and processing cost. When the LME moves, scrap prices follow.
Collection and logistics
Who collects aluminium scrap from businesses in Birmingham?
Data Vision collects aluminium scrap from businesses across Birmingham and the West Midlands. We offer free collection for trade and larger loads, and as a registered waste carrier (CBDU622654) we transport it legally with the correct paperwork.
Do scrap dealers collect aluminium or do I deliver it?
Both — we offer free collection for business and larger loads across Birmingham and the West Midlands, or you can deliver. As a registered waste carrier we can legally transport your material with the correct paperwork.
What is a waste transfer note and do I need one?
A waste transfer note (WTN) records the transfer of waste between parties and is a legal duty-of-care requirement for businesses disposing of scrap. We issue a WTN on every collection so your records are complete.
What happens to aluminium scrap after it's collected?
After collection we weigh and grade it, then consolidate it by alloy for processing. Graded scrap is shipped to our partner works, RA Recycle Service in Rajasthan, India, where it is remelted into new product — a closed loop.
Law, licensing and payment
How do scrap metal dealers pay for aluminium?
By bank transfer or cheque only — paying cash for scrap metal has been illegal in England and Wales since 2013. We pay every supplier electronically against an invoice and weighbridge ticket, which also gives you clean records for your own accounts.
Why can't scrap dealers pay cash in the UK?
Cash payment for scrap metal was banned by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 to make transactions traceable and cut metal theft. Payment must be by bank transfer or cheque — we pay strictly by bank transfer.
What paperwork do I need to sell scrap metal in the UK?
You will need valid photo ID, and for trade sellers a waste transfer note documenting the movement of the material. We handle the transfer note on every collection and issue a record of payment, so your duty-of-care paperwork is covered.
Do I need a licence to deal in scrap metal in the UK?
Yes — anyone trading in scrap metal must hold a scrap metal dealer licence from their local council under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Data Vision operates fully within the Act, with traceable payments and waste carrier registration.
What is a scrap metal dealer licence and who issues it?
It is a licence required under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, issued by the local council (in our case Birmingham City Council). It comes as a site licence or a collector's licence, and every holder appears on a public register.
Is it legal to pay cash for scrap metal in the UK?
No. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 bans cash payment for scrap metal in England and Wales; all payment must be traceable. Any dealer offering cash is trading illegally — we pay strictly by bank transfer.
What is a registered waste carrier?
A registered waste carrier is a business authorised by the Environment Agency to legally transport waste, including scrap metal. Using a registered carrier protects you under duty-of-care rules — we are EA registered (CBDU622654).
How do I check if a scrap dealer is licensed in Birmingham?
Every licensed dealer appears on the national scrap metal dealers public register, and Birmingham City Council holds the local record. Ask any dealer for their licence number and check it before you sell.
What's the difference between a site and a collector's licence?
A site licence lets a dealer buy and store scrap at a fixed premises; a collector's licence only permits travelling collection within a council area and bars taking metal back to a site to sell. The type a dealer holds tells you how they are allowed to operate.
Export and global supply
How is aluminium scrap exported from the UK?
Graded aluminium scrap is baled or loose-loaded into shipping containers and exported under green-list (Annex VII) waste-shipment rules with full customs paperwork. We manage the documentation and logistics end to end.
Which countries import UK aluminium scrap?
The UK exports aluminium scrap to several manufacturing economies, with India among the largest destinations. Data Vision ships graded scrap to our partner works, RA Recycle Service in Rajasthan, India, where it is remelted into product.
How is aluminium scrap shipped from the UK to India?
We consolidate graded scrap, load it into containers at UK ports, and ship it to our partner works RA Recycle Service in Rajasthan, India, with full Annex VII and customs documentation managed at both ends.
What documents are needed to export scrap metal from the UK?
Green-list metal scrap moves under Annex VII waste-shipment documentation, plus standard export paperwork (EORI, commercial invoice) and, for some destinations, a pre-shipment inspection certificate (PSIC). We handle the documentation on every container.
What is a PSIC certificate for scrap export?
A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) is an inspection document some importing countries require to confirm a scrap consignment is as declared and free of prohibited material. We arrange it where the destination requires it.
What HS code is used for aluminium scrap?
Aluminium waste and scrap is classified under HS heading 7602. The correct code matters for customs clearance on both the export and import side.
How does a closed-loop aluminium recycling supply chain work?
Scrap is collected, graded and processed, then remelted into new aluminium product that re-enters manufacturing without re-mining. Data Vision sources and grades in the UK; RA Recycle Service remelts in India, closing the loop.
About Data Vision Tech Solutions
What does Data Vision Tech Solutions do?
Data Vision Tech Solutions Pvt Limited is a UK-registered company (No. 16681514, Birmingham) that buys and grades aluminium and other scrap metal and supplies it into a closed-loop recycling chain with RA Recycle Service in India. We buy from UK trade and public sellers with fast, compliant bank payment.
Is Data Vision Tech Solutions a registered scrap metal company?
Yes — we are registered at Companies House (No. 16681514), VAT registered (GB 502 4728 17), and an Environment Agency upper-tier waste carrier (CBDU622654). Our credentials are published on this site and publicly verifiable.
Who is RA Recycle Service and how are they connected to Data Vision?
RA Recycle Service is our partner processing works in Kuchera, Rajasthan, India, holding ISO 9001:2015, a DGFT Import-Export Code, GST registration and RSPCB consents. Data Vision sources and grades scrap in the UK; RA Recycle remelts it — together forming a closed-loop supply chain.
Get a quote for your scrap
Licensed Birmingham buyer · bank-transfer payment · free collection for trade and larger loads across the West Midlands.
Get a Quote →General information, not legal advice. Prices move with the market — contact us for a current quote. Verify any dealer's licence on the public scrap metal dealers register before selling.