Copper Scrap Adds 2¢/Lb as Broader Market Holds Steady
North American clean copper scrap extended its advance on October 20, with the major grades gaining another 2¢/lb. Aluminum, brass/bronze, stainless steel and steel benchmarks remained unchanged from Monday.
Report date: October 21, 2026
Market data: October 20, 2026
Market at a Glance
- Copper: Major clean grades ↑2¢/lb.
- Aluminum: → Flat after Monday's gains.
- Brass/Bronze: → Flat.
- Stainless Steel: → Flat after Monday's recovery.
- Steel: → Flat across major ferrous benchmarks.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap buying benchmarks were largely steady on Tuesday, October 20, with clean copper providing the day's only notable movement on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #3 Copper-Light Copper each increased by 2¢/lb.
The remainder of the market paused after Monday's broader gains. Aluminum and stainless steel retained their previous-session advances, while steel and brass/bronze continued to trade sideways.
Benchmark buying-price move: ScrapMonster reports benchmark market movements. Local yard quotations can vary by grade, location, volume and individual buyer conditions.
ScrapMonster Exclusive: Clean Copper Has Added 6¢/Lb Since Friday
Tuesday's 2¢/lb increase extended the clean-copper advance for a second consecutive session.
The same major grades gained 4¢/lb on Monday after closing Friday unchanged at the previous benchmark. Their cumulative move from October 16 through October 20 now stands at 6¢/lb.
| Market Date | Clean Copper Move | Running Move |
|---|---|---|
| October 16 | ↑1¢/lb | Reference session |
| October 19 | ↑4¢/lb | +4¢ |
| October 20 | ↑2¢/lb | +6¢ |
The important distinction is that the strength remains concentrated in clean copper. Insulated wire, radiators, motors and brass benchmarks did not participate in Tuesday's increase.
Copper Scrap Prices Extend Their Advance
Copper again delivered the only upward adjustment among the major North American scrap categories.
| Copper Grade | October 20 Change |
|---|---|
| #1 Copper Bare Bright | ↑2¢/lb |
| #1 Copper Wire and Tubing | ↑2¢/lb |
| #2 Copper Wire and Tubing | ↑2¢/lb |
| #3 Copper-Light Copper | ↑2¢/lb |
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery, #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery, Copper Radiators and Romex Wire were unchanged.
Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiator grades, Heater Cores, Scrap Electric Motors, Alternators, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights also maintained their Monday benchmarks.
Aluminum Scrap Prices Pause After Monday's Gains
Aluminum showed no additional movement after Monday's broad 1¢/lb increase.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, 6063 Extrusions, 6061 Extrusions, Old Cast, UBC, MLC Clips and the other major aluminum benchmarks remained → Flat.
The unchanged session means Monday's gains were retained rather than reversed.
Brass and Bronze Remain Flat
Brass and bronze benchmarks recorded no day-over-day movement.
| Major Brass Grade | October 20 Move |
|---|---|
| Red Brass | → Flat |
| Yellow Brass | → Flat |
| Brass Radiator | → Flat |
The lack of movement in brass reinforces the narrow nature of Tuesday's copper advance.
Stainless Steel Holds Monday's Recovery
Stainless steel benchmarks remained unchanged after gains in the previous session.
304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and 330 SS all maintained Monday's levels, along with 201 SS and 301 SS.
The market therefore consolidated Monday's recovery rather than giving back those increases.
Steel Scrap Benchmarks Remain Steady
Ferrous scrap continued to trade sideways.
| Steel Grade | October 20 Move |
|---|---|
| #1 HMS | → Flat |
| #1 Busheling | → Flat |
| Shredded Auto Scrap | → Flat |
| HMS 80/20 | → Flat |
#1 Bundle, Sheet Metal and Structural Steel also remained unchanged.
What to Watch Next
Copper follow-through: Clean copper has now gained 6¢/lb over the last two active sessions. The next report will show whether the move extends or begins to consolidate.
Broader copper participation: Insulated wire, radiator and brass benchmarks have not followed the latest clean-copper move. Any participation from those grades would signal a broader repricing.
Aluminum: Monday's gains held on Tuesday. Another upward adjustment would indicate that aluminum's move is developing beyond a single session.
Stainless steel: Monday's recovery was preserved. Watch whether those gains hold or attract another adjustment.
Steel: Ferrous benchmarks remain stable, leaving current price momentum concentrated in non-ferrous material.
ScrapMonster Market Read
October 20 extended the clean-copper advance, but the wider North American scrap market remained quiet. Major clean copper grades have now added 6¢/lb over two sessions, while aluminum and stainless steel held Monday's gains and steel and brass remained flat. For now, the move is best viewed as continued clean-copper strength rather than a broad-based scrap rally.