China Copper Scrap Gains CNY 250/MT as Stainless Falls
Chinese scrap benchmarks moved mostly higher on October 16, led by CNY 250-per-tonne gains in major clean copper grades. Selected aluminum grades also advanced, while stainless steel declined broadly and steel and brass/bronze remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
Published October 19, 2026
Market data: October 16, 2026
Key Points
- Copper: #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each gained CNY 250/MT.
- Aluminum: 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each rose CNY 50/MT.
- Stainless Steel: All listed grades declined, led by 310 SS at CNY 200/MT.
- Steel: #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap remained unchanged.
- Brass/Bronze: Brass Radiator, Red Brass and Yellow Brass held steady.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal buying benchmarks moved mostly higher on Friday, October 16, 2026, with copper providing the strongest upward move on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
Major clean copper grades gained CNY 250 per metric ton, while several aluminum grades rose by CNY 50/MT.
The gains were not universal. Stainless steel weakened across the listed grades, with declines of as much as CNY 200/MT, while brass/bronze and steel scrap remained unchanged.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper recorded the largest gains among the major Chinese scrap categories tracked during the session.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each advanced CNY 250/MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% Recovery gained CNY 100/MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire held steady on the Index.
Heater Cores gained CNY 50/MT.
Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu/Al Radiators, Cu Yokes, Harness Wire with 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units were unchanged from the previous session.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum scrap also moved higher across selected grades, although the increases were smaller than those recorded in clean copper.
6063 Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots each gained CNY 50/MT.
Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers held steady on the Index.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each advanced CNY 50/MT.
Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% NF recorded no change.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap remained unchanged on the Index.
#1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap both maintained their previous-day levels.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel scrap prices declined across the listed grades.
201 SS fell by CNY 50/MT.
304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and Shred SS each dropped by CNY 100/MT.
309 SS and 316 SS Solid each declined by CNY 150/MT.
310 SS recorded the largest stainless steel decline of the session, falling CNY 200/MT.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.
Brass Radiator recorded no daily variation.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass also held steady.
Market Read
The October 16 session produced a clear split across China's scrap benchmarks. Copper led the upside, with the major clean grades gaining CNY 250/MT, while selected aluminum grades posted smaller CNY 50/MT increases.
Stainless steel moved in the opposite direction, with declines widening across the higher-alloy grades. Steel and brass/bronze remained the stable parts of the market.
Benchmark buying-price move • Actual transaction prices can vary by material specification, quality, quantity, buyer and location.