What is HMS?
HMS stands for "Heavy Melting Scrap". It is also referred to as "Heavy Metal Steel" and the two terms are interchangeable. HMS is typically scrap metal derived from large steel products such as household items, ships, building structures, and industrial machinery. The recycling and reuse of HMS scrap metal is crucial because it often contains significant amounts of iron and other metals that can be recycled.
What are the
classification standards for HMS?
The classification standards for HMS (Heavy Melting Scrap) scrap metal were introduced by the London Metal Exchange (LME). LME is one of the largest exchanges globally, established in 1877, and primarily trades metals and industrial raw materials. The HMS classification standards were first proposed by LME in the 1980s to assist the scrap metal recycling industry in effectively categorizing scrap metal for ease of trading and recycling.
What are the types of HMS?
Although HMS1 and HMS2 are classification standards proposed by LME, the international standard is generally based on the classification of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), which represents the US scrap metal recycling industry. ISRI's scrap metal classification standards are based on different types and compositions of scrap metal, including mixed heavy steel scrap, automobile frames, rail steel, industrial steel scraps, and sheared steel materials.
ISRI's scrap metal classification standards are somewhat similar to LME's HMS scrap metal classification standards, but there are also differences. For example, ISRI's classification is more detailed, including more types of scrap metal, and also considers different chemical compositions and impurity content.
ISRI classification for HMS
HMS 1: This is the highest quality of HMS scrap, with a thickness exceeding 6mm. HMS 1 includes large steel products such as bridges, railway tracks, and steel plates, with significant weight, size, and thickness.
HMS 2: This is the lower quality of HMS scrap. Its thickness is below 6mm. HMS 2 includes smaller steel products such as car wrecks, furniture, and household appliances.
HMS 3: This is the lowest quality of HMS scrap. It includes thinner steel products such as kitchen utensils, cans, and bottle caps.
Under the standards of scrap metal recycling, all recycled materials should not contain impurities such as oil stains, lead, slag, furnace ash, sand, sludge, garbage, and debris. If there are such impurities in the recycled scrap, according to the contract terms, we will make compensation claims based on the compensation process for domestic and international contracts.
*From ISRI scrap specifications circular
ISRI 200-206 refers to the specifications and standards related to HMS scrap. These numbers represent different types of HMS scrap, where:
ISRI 200 represents HMS 1
ISRI 201 represents HMS 1 & 2
ISRI 202 represents HMS 2
ISRI 203 represents HMS 1 & 2 (80:20)
ISRI 204 represents HMS 1 & 2 (70:30)
ISRI 205 represents HMS 1 & 2 (60:40)
ISRI 206 represents HMS 1 & 2 (50:50)
Among the ISRI 203-206 codes, the parentheses with ratios such as (80:20) indicate the proportion of HMS1 to HMS2 in that batch of goods. This proportion has a significant impact on the price and contents of the goods, so it is essential to pay special attention to it when importing or exporting scrap metal. Each code includes corresponding standards for quality, size, and impurity content, which are crucial for the classification, evaluation, and recycling of HMS scrap metal. For importing or exporting HMS scrap metal, the ISRI 200-206 codes are very useful because they can help determine the quality and composition of HMS scrap metal and predict recycling prices.
If you have any questions about HMS or are interested in importing or exporting HMS, please feel free to contact Generich at any time.
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