North American Scrap Metal Prices Hold Steady; Copper and Brass Edge Higher on the Index – Oct 29, 2025

Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Heater Cores and Romex Wire prices inched higher by $0.01 per Lb each over the day.

TORONTO (Scrap Monster): The North American scrap metal prices remained mostly unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Steel and Stainless Steel scrap prices witnessed no change on the Index. Copper and Brass/Bronze scrap prices registered a marginal increase, whereas Aluminum scrap prices remained flat on the Index.

Copper Scrap Prices

The price of Alternator scrap remained unchanged over the previous day. The price of #1 Copper Wire and Tubing increased by $0.06 per Lb. #2 Copper Wire and Tubing prices were also up by $0.06 per Lb. The price of #1 Copper Bare Bright edged higher by $ 0.06 per Lb (largest single-day gain in weeks).

  • The prices of #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices witnessed an increase of $0.01 per Lb over the previous day. #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery prices were up by $0.01 per Lb on the Index. #3 Copper-Light copper prices recorded an increase of $0.06 per Lb.
  • The prices of Copper Radiator scrap inched higher by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
  • Copper Transformer Scrap prices held steady.
  • Cu Yokes prices reported no change over the previous day.
  • Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe prices remained stable as of October 29, 2025.
  • Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Heater Cores and Romex Wire prices inched higher by $0.01 per Lb each over the day.

The prices of Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed units, and Xmas Lights reported no change from the previous day’s price levels.

For a detailed account of this week’s copper moves, see North American Scrap Metal Prices Steady; Copper Gained (Oct 28) and the Weekly Market Report: October 2–9.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

1100 Scrap prices remained flat over the day. The prices of 3003 Scrap were flat on the Index. The prices of 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe also were unchanged.

  • The prices of 6063 Extrusions held steady over the day.
  • Meantime, prices of 5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions remained flat when compared with the prior day.
  • The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe remained unchanged over the day. Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Radiators/Fe prices held steady. Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery prices remained unchanged as of October 29, 2025.
  • E.C Aluminum Wire prices were flat on the Index.
  • Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, and MLC Clips held steady at the previous day’s price levels.
  • Mixed Aluminum Turnings prices also remained unchanged.
  • The prices of Old Cast and UBC witnessed no change over the previous day.
  • Old Sheet, Painted Siding, and Zorba 90% NF prices also were unchanged.

 For secondary market and policy developments on aluminum, check Aluminum Association Calls for Export Restrictions on Strategic Scrap Metal.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 Bundle prices remained flat.

  • The prices of #1 Busheling and #1 HMS too reported no change as of October 29, 2025.
  • HMS 80/20 prices held steady on the Index.

Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap, and Structural Steel also saw no change in prices when compared with the previous day.

Industry context: US Scrap Trends Outlook: October 2025.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

  • 201 SS and 301 SS prices reported no change.
  • 304 SS Solid prices also remained flat over the previous day.
  • 304 SS Turning witnessed no change in prices as of October 29, 2025.
  • 309 SS and 310 SS prices saw no change in price from the previous day’s level.
  • 330 SS prices were flat.

Also, 316 SS Solid prices remained unchanged on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in the North American region witnessed slight increase on the Index.

  • 70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap, and Brass Radiator scrap prices were up by $0.01 per Lb each as of Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
  • Brass Radiator /Fe and Brass Radiator Ends prices maintained the previous day's price levels.
  • Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass prices edged higher by $0.01 per Lb on the Index. 

Monthly Market Insight: Copper’s Rally

Copper is up more than 7% in October, rising from about $10,300/tonne to over $11,000—a new multi-month high (source).
Drivers:

  • Record-high LME copper, ongoing supply tightness (Indonesia’s Grasberg issues, Glencore production cuts)
  • Demand optimism around U.S.-China trade progress, tight global inventories
  • Analysts forecast further potential toward $12,000/tonne if industrial demand holds

Read more on supply concerns and bullish analyst forecasts: Glencore Lowers 2025 Copper Forecast Despite Strong Q3 Production, BMI Lifted 2025 Copper Price Forecast, and Copper Scrap Prices: Weekly Market Report- September 12, 2025.

What It Means:

  • Premium copper grades are at their best margins of 2025: Clean #1, #2, Bare Bright deliver highest payouts.

Expert Money-Making Tips

  • Sort now for top dollar: Clean, separated copper nets you +$60–$100 extra per ton at today’s premiums.
  • Sell into the strength: Don’t wait for a pullback—secure profits before volatility returns.
  • Buy undervalued grades: If you’re a broker, snatch up brass and lower-grade copper; lagging today, likely to catch up soon.
  • Yard operators: Prep for volume surges—like today, uptrends bring more sellers to your door.

What’s Fueling Prices?

  • Ongoing supply disruptions (Grasberg, Glencore)
  • Industrial restocking tied to infrastructure and global manufacturing
  • Bullish futures sentiment with cautious optimism—watch for China/U.S. demand headlines

Further outlook and analysis: ICSG Released Copper Market Forecast for 2025 and 2026, Broad-Based Price Surge Lifts North American Scrap Metals.

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