UBC means used beverage cans. Can bodies are made from 3xxx alloys such as 3004 and lids from 5xxx alloys, so UBC melts back into can stock if it is clean. Under ISRI codes, Taldon covers loose or baled UBC, Talcred covers shredded UBC, and Taldack covers densified UBC. New, unused can stock is traded separately as Take.
Why it matters when buying
- Cans are thin and coated with lacquer and paint, so recovery is lower than for thick scrap unless the material is de-coated before melting.
- Check for contamination: steel cans, plastic, glass, sand, liquids and trapped moisture are common problems, and moisture is a melting hazard.
- Bale density and weight per bale affect freight cost and furnace charging.
- Agree whether magnets will be used at inspection to check for steel cans.
Typical uses
Clean UBC goes to rolling mills for can body and lid stock, closing the can-to-can loop, or to secondary smelters for alloy ingot. See the UBC scrap India guide and sell or buy through aluminium scrap.