Assurant’s latest mobile trade-in data shows that the best smartphones are being pulled into reuse and refurbishment channels sooner as the scrap stream is getting thinner and rougher, and value is moving upstream fast.
Secondary Market
Less premium smartphone inventory is reaching recyclers
Assurant’s latest mobile trade-in data shows that the best smartphones are being pulled into reuse and refurbishment channels sooner as the scrap stream is getting thinner and rougher, and value is moving upstream fast.
Client Note: Foundries Hike DRAM Prices as Automated Bots Sweep DDR5 Inventory
In this memo to clients, we note that the global memory market is showing an accelerated phase of tightening, driven by the aggressive expansion of AI infrastructure as the primary catalyst. Right now, we are tracking two distinct yet deeply connected market developments: massive contract price hikes from major memory foundries, exceeding 100% in recent negotiations, and a surge in automated, large-scale hoarding of DDR5 inventory, which could significantly affect how components are tracked and resold. Collectively, these indicators point to a period of intensified supply chain distortion and heightened competition for memory components.
For the secondary hardware ecosystem, encompassing IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) operators, refurbishers, and component traders, this primary market squeeze could alter current business dynamics.
The Seven Functions Involved in Enterprise Asset Disposition
A confluence of events has created an interesting environment in the recycling and IT asset disposition sector over...