Australia’s old car bodies finding new life overseas
31st August 2026
Thousands of old Australian car bodies that would once have ended up rusting in paddocks or landfill are now being recycled into the steel used to build skyscrapers, railways, vehicles and major infrastructure projects across Asia.
As demand for sustainable raw materials continues to grow, Australia’s scrap metal recycling industry is exporting increasing volumes of processed steel recovered from end-of-life vehicles, machinery and other metal waste to manufacturing hubs in India, China and South-East Asia.
According to Manhari Recycling founder and chief executive officer Maddy Gupta, many Australians underestimate the value hidden in unwanted vehicles.
“Australia is sitting on a mountain of recyclable metal that the world desperately needs,” Gupta said.
“What leaves our shores as scrap often returns as the products, infrastructure and technologies we use every day.”
From worn-out family sedans to accident-damaged vehicles, much of Australia’s discarded metal is now feeding global manufacturing supply chains instead of being sent to landfill.
Gupta said an old vehicle dismantled in Australia could eventually be transformed into structural steel for a high-rise building, components for a new car, railway infrastructure or industrial equipment overseas.
“People are often amazed when they learn where recycled metals end up,” he said.
The company says rapid urbanisation throughout Asia and India is driving strong demand for recycled metals, with manufacturers increasingly favouring recycled feedstock because it reduces both production costs and environmental impact.
Unlike many other materials, steel can be recycled repeatedly without losing its structural properties, reducing the need for virgin mining while lowering energy consumption and emissions during manufacturing.
Gupta believes Australia’s high recycling standards and consistent quality position the country to become an increasingly important supplier of recycled materials to international markets.
“What many Australians call scrap is actually one of our most valuable resources,” he said.
“Every old piece of metal represents an opportunity to reduce waste, support manufacturing and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Manhari Recycling is one of Victoria’s largest and most trusted scrap metal recycling companies. With operations spanning nearly five hectares across Tottenham, Horsham and Ararat, Manhari processes over 250,000 metric tons of metal annually and exports to major manufacturing markets worldwide.