CMRA Annual Convention 2026 in Ningbo: Reshaping the Recycled Metals Value Chain in a Changing Global Landscape

Ningbo, Zhejiang, will become a key gathering point for the global recycled metals industry from November 6–9, 2026, as the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association Recycling Metal Branch (CMRA) hosts the 2026 CMRA Annual Convention. Running concurrently at the same venue will be the 26th International Recycling Metal Exhibition and Trade Fair. The event will focus on changes in policy, supply chains, technology and recycled-material applications as the industry enters a period of profound restructuring.

The Recycled Metals Industry Enters a New Phase of Restructuring

According to CMRA’s first-round official invitation, the global recycled metals industry is entering a new stage shaped by three major drivers: resource security, dual-carbon goals, and green procurement.

These developments represent more than a change in the way scrap and secondary materials are viewed. According to the organizers, the coming period will bring changes across international cooperation models, business-model innovation, high-end recycled-material applications, and collaboration among companies, research institutes and other participants throughout the value chain.

Against this backdrop, the 2026 CMRA Annual Convention is being positioned as a platform for stakeholders across the industry to exchange views on global development trends, domestic and international policies, and changes in upstream and downstream supply and demand.

The organizers said the event aims to build greater industry consensus and promote practical cooperation among government departments, international industry organizations, research institutes and key companies from China and overseas.

For the non-ferrous metals sector, these issues are becoming increasingly interconnected. Scrap metal is no longer viewed simply as a low-cost source of raw material. It is increasingly linked to resource security and strategies for reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, requirements for the quality of recycled materials and their ability to meet green standards are becoming more demanding.

2026 CMRA Annual Convention to Be Held in Ningbo

The 2026 CMRA Annual Convention will take place from November 6–9, 2026, at the Pan Pacific Ningbo Hotel City Convention Center, No. 718 North Jiangcheng Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China.

The event is hosted by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) and Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco). It is organized by the Recycling Metal Branch of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CMRA) and CN MetalCycle (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd. is listed as co-organizer, while Royce Corporation is listed as a supporter in the current program.

According to the tentative schedule, November 6 will be dedicated to registration for delegates and exhibitors. The main activities will begin on November 7, including the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

November 8 will be a key day for the conference program, with the Opening Ceremony from 9:30 to 10:30, a Keynote Report from 10:30 to 12:00, and the Main Forum from 14:00 to 17:30. Seminar sessions will also be held alongside the main forum.

On November 9, five seminar sessions are scheduled from 9:00 to 12:00, together with a Chinese company onsite tour program. From the afternoon of November 9 through November 11, a Ningbo Vicinity Business Tour is planned.

26th International Recycling Metal Exhibition and Trade Fair

A major component of the 2026 event is the 26th International Recycling Metal Exhibition and Trade Fair, which will take place concurrently at the same venue.

The exhibition will run from November 6–9, 2026, at the City Convention Center of Pan Pacific Ningbo. According to the CMRA document, the exhibition will showcase innovative technologies, complete processing equipment and supporting service solutions covering the recycled metals value chain.

Four main booth categories are available.

The Flat Booth Area (A) is priced at US$500/m², excluding construction, decoration and electricity charges. Companies can arrange customized booth design and construction according to their requirements.

The Special Standard Construction Exhibition Area (B) offers a 12 m² booth at US$12,500 per booth, including construction and refined decoration.

The Standard Exhibition Area (C) provides a 9 m² booth at US$1,900 per booth, with simple standard construction.

The International Exhibition Area (D) provides a 9 m² booth at US$5,000 per booth, including booth furniture, decoration and background production.

The booth layout shown in the CMRA document covers exhibition areas on the second and third floors of the convention center. The different booth categories are identified by colors and codes, while the forum area is separately located on the second floor.

The combination of the conference and trade exhibition creates a platform connecting technology, equipment, raw materials, recycling companies, industrial users and service providers across the recycled metals value chain.

From Policy to Supply, Demand and Technology

One of the key themes highlighted by CMRA is the rapid transformation of the policy environment surrounding the recycled metals industry.

The convention is expected to bring together representatives from government departments, international industry organizations, research institutes and leading companies from China and abroad. Discussions will cover global industry development trends, the latest domestic and international policy developments, and changes in upstream and downstream supply and demand.

This approach places recycled metals within a broader industrial supply-chain framework.

As carbon-reduction targets and resource security become increasingly important factors in industrial policymaking, the ability to recover, process and return metals to production cycles is becoming increasingly connected to the competitiveness of individual markets.

At the same time, the requirement for high-quality recycled materials has been identified by CMRA as another important area of focus. This reflects a broader shift from basic recycling toward upgrading secondary materials so that they can meet the requirements of more demanding industrial applications.

According to the convention’s stated direction, business-model innovation and the wider application of high-end recycled materials will be important development themes for the industry in the coming period.

An International Platform for Business and Industry Connections

CMRA describes the 2026 Annual Convention as a major event for the recycled non-ferrous metals sector, with a large scale, high level of international participation and broad coverage across the industry value chain.

For companies involved in scrap collection, sorting, processing, secondary metallurgy, recycled-material production, recycling equipment and related services, the conference and exhibition can provide a platform connecting raw-material markets with industrial end users.

The inclusion of onsite company visits also indicates that the program is designed not only around conference discussions but also around direct exposure to operating businesses and recycling activities in China.

For companies from outside China, the dedicated International Exhibition Area is another notable component. CMRA lists the price at US$5,000 for a 9 m² booth, including furniture, decoration and background production.

Registration Fees and Registration Deadline

According to the first-round invitation, the registration fee for a VIP Member is US$1,500 per person for registration before October 20, 2026, increasing to US$2,000 per person from October 21.

For Domestic Non-Members, the fee is US$1,800 per person before October 20 and US$2,300 per person from October 21.

For the Chinese company onsite tour program, CMRA lists a fee of US$500 per person for the recycled copper tour and US$500 per person for the recycled aluminum tour, with transportation, food and accommodation included according to the document.

Registration is conducted online. Participants are required to create an account using an email address and password, provide company information, enter participant details, upload participant photographs and indicate whether a proforma invoice is required.

After payment, a copy of the payment or SWIFT document can be uploaded through the registration system or sent to cmra@chinacmra.org. The organizing committee states that a confirmation letter will be sent by email after payment is received.

Participants who require an invitation letter for visa applications can send a copy of their passport to the same email address after completing payment.

Ningbo and a Key 2026 Meeting Point for the Recycled Metals Industry

The 2026 CMRA Annual Convention comes at a time when the recycled metals industry is simultaneously addressing multiple challenges: securing raw-material supplies, improving the quality of secondary materials, reducing emissions, meeting green procurement requirements, advancing recycling technologies and adapting to changes in international trade.

By bringing the annual convention and international exhibition together in Ningbo, CMRA is creating a platform that combines policy discussions, commercial exchanges, technology showcases and onsite industry visits.

For the international recycled metals community, the significance of the event lies not only in the scale of the exhibition but also in CMRA’s approach to positioning recycling within the broader relationship between resource security, carbon transition, green materials and industrial supply chains.

As recycled metals play an increasingly important role in resource efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of industrial production, platforms that connect producers, recyclers, technology providers, research institutions and policymakers can provide opportunities for new forms of industry cooperation.

The 2026 CMRA Annual Convention and the 26th International Recycling Metal Exhibition and Trade Fair will take place in Ningbo from November 6–9, 2026. According to the first-round invitation, the organizing committee will continue to update detailed information regarding the program and participating organizations.