non-ferrous metal
Technical term for metals other than iron, such as aluminum, copper, and titanium.
非鉄金属のリサイクルは環境にとって重要です。
Recycling non-ferrous metals is important for the environment.
Refers to iron and steel, the opposite category of metals.
非鉄金属 refers to metals other than iron (aluminum, copper, etc.), while 鉄鋼 refers specifically to iron and steel.
Compound of 非 (hi, 'non-') + 鉄 (tetsu, 'iron') + 金属 (kinzoku, 'metal').