Investigation Reveals Turkey’s Steel Industry Relies on Conflict Scrap Imports
A year-long investigation, co-published by The New Arab, SIRAJ, and El País and developed with the support of Journalism Fund Europe, has uncovered shocking evidence that up to 10% of Turkey’s recycled scrap originates from countries gripped by war. The lack of oversight in the regional supply chain has created fertile ground for exploitation, with profiteers and even warlords taking advantage of the demand for scrap metal.
The investigation, which was released on Thursday 30 October, 2025, reveals that the Turkish steel industry has relied increasingly on metal scrap sourced from war-torn states such as Syria, Libya, Lebanon, and Ukraine, as well as Russia and Israel/Palestine, over the last decade. This has resulted in Turkey becoming one of the world’s top producers of recycled steel, with export values exceeding $16.1 billion USD.
The report sheds light on the hidden and dangerous trade of scavenging metal scrap from the ruins of war, with children as young as 11 being at the frontlines. These children, like Ahmad*, routinely risk their lives among debris and dormant munitions in order to collect steel rods and twisted metal to sell for a meager four US cents per kilo. For Syria’s displaced families, child labor in scrap collection pays more than plastic, but comes with toxic risks and brutal conditions.
However, the investigation has uncovered that this is just the first step in a tainted supply chain. The scrap collected by vulnerable children and families soon enters a vast and opaque steel industry in Turkey. Despite the risks borne by these children and families, the global scrap metal trade is valued at $46 billion. The finished Turkish steel, potentially made from conflict scrap, is then used in European infrastructure, including stadiums, airports, hotels, and brand-new apartment blocks.
As the European Union considers scrap export bans and tightens regulations, companies continue to source recycled steel from Turkish mills, neglecting the invisible trail of human suffering and child exploitation. This highlights the urgent need for governments, corporations, and regulators to enforce ethical sourcing, enhance monitoring of cross-border scrap imports, and address child labor and conflict sourcing in the steel supply chain running through Turkey and the EU.
The findings of the investigation have raised concerns and calls for action from various organizations. “The lack of oversight and regulation in the scrap metal industry, particularly in the supply chain feeding Turkey’s steel production, is unacceptable,” said a spokesperson for the Journalism Fund Europe. “We urge governments and corporations to take responsibility and ensure that ethical standards are met throughout the entire supply chain.”
The investigation has also emphasized the need for media coverage and public awareness of this issue. High-resolution images have been provided for use in news reporting and editorial purposes, with credit to The New Arab. For media inquiries, please contact Outreach.uk@fadaatmedia.com.
*Pseudonym
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
-Read the full investigation here.
-High-resolution images are attached to this investigation for use in your coverage. All images and videos are © The New Arab. They may be republished for news reporting and editorial purposes, with credit to The New Arab.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.