With aluminum prices up 20%, recycling startups bet on AI to cash in
Aluminum prices have surged by 20%, prompting recycling startups to leverage AI technology for improved efficiency. With only 20% of aluminum being recycled in the U.S., companies like Sortera and Amp are developing advanced sorting systems to enhance recovery rates. These innovations are crucial for increasing domestic aluminum supplies, which are essential for various industries.
- ▪Aluminum prices have reached levels not seen in decades due to geopolitical tensions.
- ▪Only about 20% of aluminum is currently recycled in the U.S., highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement.
- ▪Startups like Sortera and Amp are using AI to enhance the sorting and recovery of aluminum from waste streams.
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| Original publisher | TechCrunch |
| Canonical URL | https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/21/with-aluminum-prices-up-20-recycling-startups-bet-on-ai-to-cash-in/ |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 13:38:42 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T13:39:23.738Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-21T14:49:46.061Z |
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Rising gas prices have been a recurring headline since the Trump administration started its war against Iran in late February, but it’s not the only commodity affected by the conflict. Around 10% of the world’s aluminum is made in the Gulf region, so prices of the metal have reached levels not seen in the last several decades. Even before the war in Iran, the U.S. government had flagged aluminum as a critical mineral. A large share of U.S. demand for aluminum is met by imports, and much of the metal the country does produce is recycled. For recycling startups, it’s a good time to be in business. “Aluminum might be 1% of the garbage stream, but it often trades for over $1,000 per ton,” Matanya Horowitz, CTO at waste sorting startup Amp, told TechCrunch.
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