Chinese Scrap Metal Market See Mixed Trend: Copper Slips, Aluminum Gains on the Index– October 22, 2026

Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-10-23 07:01:24 | By Anil Mathews

In short, gains in aluminum and stainless steel helped offset weakness in copper and brass/bronze, leaving the broader Chinese scrap market mixed.

Summary

Copper scrap prices recorded significant declines
Chinese copper scrap benchmarks weakened, with #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each falling by CNY 1,000 per MT. Other copper-related grades also declined, reflecting broad weakness across the category.
Aluminum and stainless steel scrap prices advanced
Aluminum scrap prices increased across several grades, with 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each gaining CNY 100 per MT. Stainless steel also moved higher, led by a CNY 100 per MT increase in 310 SS.
Steel remained stable as brass and bronze weakened
Steel scrap prices were unchanged, with #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap holding steady. Meanwhile, Brass Radiator prices declined by CNY 100 per MT, while Red Brass and Yellow Brass each dropped by CNY 200 per MT, contributing to the mixed market performance.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap benchmarks were mixed on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as major clean copper grades fell sharply by up to CNY 1,000 per MT, while stainless steel advanced broadly, led by a CNY 100/MT gain in 310 SS. Select aluminum grades also moved higher, while brass/bronze edged lower. Meanwhile, steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

Market Snapshot

Copper: Mostly lower, with key grades dropping by as much as CNY 1,000 per MT.
Aluminum: Broadly higher, with several benchmark grades up CNY 100 per MT.
Brass/Bronze: Reported decline across the board over the previous day.
Stainless Steel: Higher across major grades, with upward movement ranging from CNY 50 to CNY 100 per MT.
Steel: Unchanged from the previous day.

Copper Scrap Prices Post a Weak Trend

Copper scrap prices moved lower across several key grades. #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each dropped by CNY 1,000 per MT from the previous day.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery saw a dip of CNY 500 per MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a decline of CNY 200 per MT in price.

Copper Transformer scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.

Cu Yokes, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors, and Sealed Units prices edged lower by CNY 50 per MT each.

Cu/Al Radiators and Heater Cores recorded sharper declines, falling by CNY 200 per MT and CNY 400 per MT, respectively, on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices Inch Up

Aluminum scrap prices witnessed an upward trend across multiple grades. 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet each increased by CNY 100 per MT.

Meanwhile, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Transformers, UBC, and Zorba 90% INF recorded a jump of CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day’s prices.

Steel Scrap Prices Hold Steady

Steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the day.

#1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap both traded flat.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Jump

Stainless steel scrap prices moved higher across select listed grades.

201 SS, 304 SS Solid, and 304 SS Turning recorded no variation on the Index.

In the meantime, 309 SS increased by CNY 50 per MT, 310 SS jumped by CNY 100 per MT, and 316 SS Solid was up by CNY 50 per MT.

Shred SS remained flat on the Index.

Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Fall

Brass and bronze scrap prices posted decline over the previous day.

Brass Radiator prices edged down by CNY 100 per MT on the Index. Red Brass and Yellow Brass each recorded a decline of CNY 200 per MT from the previous day.

In short, gains in aluminum and stainless steel helped offset weakness in copper and brass/bronze, leaving the broader Chinese scrap market mixed.