BIR Academy Unveils “Understanding the LME” Video on Metal Trading and Risk Management

Bureau of International Recycling has launched a new educational video titled “Understanding the LME” as part of its BIR Academy “More Knowledge Together” series. The video focuses on explaining the role and mechanisms of the London Metal Exchange for recycling professionals.

Although the London Metal Exchange is central to global industrial metal pricing, its structure and processes are often considered difficult to understand. The new video reviews the core functions of the Exchange, including risk management, hedging strategies, trading activity and the historical development of metals trading. It presents an overview of how the LME operates and its relevance to recyclers’ commercial activities.

In the previous year, the LME recorded trading volumes of 191 million lots, representing US$21 trillion and 4 billion tonnes on a notional basis, with open interest reaching a peak of 2.1 million lots.

The video also includes interviews with LME specialists. BIR Academy Co-chair Murat Bayram speaks with Christian Mildner, Head of Corporate Client Development; James Macdonald, Head of Trading Operations; and Yang Liu, Head of China Client Development, to provide technical explanations and expert perspectives for recyclers working in volatile market environments.

BIR President Susie Burrage OBE comments: “Recyclers use the LME extensively for price discovery, trade and hedging. Whether it’s copper wiring, aluminium auto parts, or nickel from batteries, the LME is an invaluable reference for pricing and risk management. I am therefore incredibly pleased that the Academy’s first video was dedicated to this important institution, and I believe Caroline Craenhals and Murat Bayram have done a stellar job.”

With the expansion of green technologies, demand for metals such as nickel, lithium, cobalt and copper is expected to exceed mining capacity. Recycled metals are positioned to help bridge this gap while lowering carbon emissions and energy use. The release notes that understanding the LME is becoming increasingly important for recyclers involved in circular economy supply chains.

Following this initial LME-focused production, the BIR Academy plans to issue additional educational videos on further industry topics on an ongoing basis.