At least once a year, and always in step with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries' annual convention and exposition, AMM takes a close look at the financial ups and downs, major themes, high-profile players, companies and events that have made their mark—good or bad—on the ferrous and nonferrous scrap industries over the preceding 12 months.

What a year it's been, particularly in ferrous. Fairy-tale-high to horror-tale-low prices prevailed in a roller-coaster market that took a...