Scrap Metal Prices: Weekly Market Report- December 12-18, 2025
Global steel scrap benchmarks held steady, signaling continued softness in market conditions.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): The weekly market price trends in North America for various scrap metal categories on the Scrap Monster Price Index for the week of December 12-18, 2025 are given in the report that follows:
Copper scrap markets showed a generally upward week-on-week movement, with notable gains across multiple categories, while select segments including Cu/Al Radiators, Alternators, Copper Transformer Scrap, Scrap Electric Motors, and Sealed Units remained stable on the index. The strongest performance was seen in #3 Copper–Light Copper, which registered a weekly increase of 1.62%.
Aluminum scrap prices remained flat across most of the categories on the Scrap Monster Price Index. All scrap varieties, inlcuding E.C. Aluminum Wire, 6063 Extrusions, Old Cast and UBC held steady, upon comparision with the prior week.
Brass and bronze scrap prices advanced across all major categories last week, supported by increased buying interest and steady demand for these alloy metals.
By contrast, lead scrap markets remained steady, with prices unchanged across major trading regions and no notable movements recorded.
Zinc scrap markets experienced a mild downward trend over the course of the week.
Global steel scrap benchmarks held steady, signaling continued softness in market conditions.
Stainless steel scrap prices showed weakness, as both North America and China reported consistent declines across most stainless steel grades.
In summary, Copper scrap prices posted a mostly positive week-on-week trend, while aluminum and lead scrap prices remained largely flat. Brass and bronze gained on strong demand, zinc edged lower, and both steel and stainless steel scrap markets showed continued weakness, with declines noted across major regions.
For full market breakdowns, visit the Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub or track real-time prices via the US Scrap Price Index.
NON-FERROUS SCRAP
Market Drivers
- Steel Production Levels – Scrap demand rises when steel mills increase production, especially in EAFs. Conversely, reduced steel output due to weak market demand lowers scrap consumption and prices.
Alternative Materials (DRI/Sponge Iron) – Availability of cheaper substitutes like direct-reduced iron can reduce reliance on scrap, limiting its demand and impacting pricing.
Trade Flows – Import and export movements influence local scrap supply. High exports can tighten domestic markets, while increased imports may soften regional prices.
- Scrap Quality – Clean, homogeneous ferrous scrap is more valuable, while contaminated or mixed scrap requires additional processing, which lowers its market price.
- Trade Policies & Tariffs – Import duties, export restrictions, and anti-dumping measures can shift supply chains, affecting scrap prices and trade volumes.
- End‑Use Sector Demand – Demand from construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors drives scrap consumption. Strong industrial activity supports higher prices, while sector slowdowns reduce demand.
COPPER SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Copper Scrap Prices: Copper scrap prices moved higher over the past week on improved market sentiment, led by a 1.52% rise in #1 Copper Bare Bright. #1 Copper Wire and Tubing climbed to $5.23 per pound, up 1.55%, while #2 Copper Wire and Tubing advanced 1.58% to $5.13 per pound.
Charts
The table below outlines the week-on-week price movements for #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing.
| Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
| #1 Copper Bare Bright | 0.08 | +1.52% |
| #1 Copper Wire and Tubing | 0.08 | +1.55% |
| #2 Copper Wire and Tubing | 0.08 | +1.58% |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Copper Scrap Prices
The price of #1 Copper Bare Bright on the Scrap Monster Price Index increased by $0.08 per pound as of Thursday, December 18, 2025, a weekly jump of ↑1.52%. #1 Copper Wire & Tubing went higher by $0.08 per pound, registering an increase by ↑1.55% from the prior week. By the end of the week, the price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing had recorded a rise by ↑1.58% , moving from $5.05 per pound to $5.13 per pound on the Index.
USA Midwest Copper Scrap Prices
The price of #1 Copper Bare Bright on the Scrap Monster Price Index inched up by $0.08 per pound as of Thursday, December 18, 2025, a weekly jump of ↑1.58%. #1 Copper Wire & Tubing edged higher by $0.08 per pound, registering an increase by ↑1.62% from the prior week. By the end of the week, the price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing had edged higher by ↑1.65% to close the week at $4.93 per pound.
USA West Coast Copper Scrap Prices
#1 Copper Bare Bright’s prices on the Scrap Monster Price Index increased by $0.08 per pound as of Thursday, December 18, 2025, a weekly increase of ↑1.51%. #1 Copper Wire & Tubing inched higher by $0.08 per pound, registering a jump by ↑1.54% from the prior week. #2 Copper Wire and Tubing prices had recorded an increase by ↑1.57% as at the end of the week.
International Comparison
China Copper Scrap Prices
- All of the copper scrap categories, except Sealed Units and Scrap Electric Motors, edged lower on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Top Losers: #2 Copper Wire and Tubing ↓1.76%, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing ↓1.74%, #1 Copper Bare Bright ↓1.67%
India Copper Scrap Prices
- All copper scrap categories recorded week-over-week decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
ALUMINUM SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Aluminum Scrap Prices: Over the previous week, there was no change in aluminum scrap prices. The prices of E.C. Aluminum Wire were flat at $1.28 per Lb on the Scrap Monster Price Index. 6063 Extrusions settled at $0.99 per pound, unchanged from the prior week, while Old Cast prices held steady at $0.85 per pound. UBC prices also remained flat at $0.86 per pound.
Charts
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in E.C. Aluminum Wire, 6063 Extrusions, Old Cast and UBC.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Aluminum Scrap Prices
The price of E.C. Aluminum Wire on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded no variation as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. 6063 Extrusions remained unchanged at $0.99 per pound compared with the previous week. Old Cast prices showed no movement by week’s end, while UBC prices also held steady on a week-on-week basis.
USA Midwest Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum scrap prices saw no significant movement over the past week. E.C. Aluminum Wire ended the week unchanged at $1.28 per pound, while 6063 Extrusions held steady at $0.97 per pound. Old Cast prices remained flat at $0.82 per pound, and UBC prices were also unchanged at $0.84 per pound.
USA West Coast Aluminum Scrap Prices
The price of E.C. Aluminum Wire on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded no change as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. 6063 Extrusions were flat at $0.99 per pound, upon comparison with the prior week. By the end of the week, the price of Old Cast witnessed no variation. Also, UBC prices recorded no change week-on-week.
International Comparison
China Aluminum Scrap Prices
- All aluminum scrap categories recorded decline from the previous week's prices on the Scrap Monster Price Index. Old Cast and Old Sheet prices recorded the biggest dips, falling by ↓1.02% each on the Index.
India Aluminum Scrap Prices
- All aluminum scrap categories edged lower on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Aluminum ingots prices witnessed a dip of CNY 1,000 per MT to close at INR 281,000 per Ton.
- The price of Aluminum utensil scrap was down by ↓0.37% during the week ended December 18, 2025.
BRASS/BRONZE SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices: Over the previous week, there was a modest increase of ↑0.63% in brass/bronze scrap prices. Yellow Brass’s prices edged higher by ↑0.64%. Red Brass closed at $3.31 per pound, up ↑0.61% from the beginning of the week.
Charts
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in Yellow Brass and Red Brass.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0.02 | +0.61% | |
0.02 | +0.64% |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The price of Red Brass on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded an increase by $0.02 per pound as of Thursday, December 18, 2025, a weekly jump of ↑0.61%. Yellow Brass edged higher by $0.02 per pound, recording a jump by ↑0.64% from the prior week.
USA Midwest Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
By the conclusion of the week ended December 18, 2025, the price of Red Brass had increased by ↑0.62% to $0.02 more per pound. Additionally, Yellow Brass prices recorded week-on-week jump by ↑0.66%.
USA West Coast Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Red Brass went higher by $0.02 per pound, witnessing a jump of ↑0.59% from the prior week. By the end of the week, the price of Yellow Brass had increased by ↑0.62%, moving higher by $0.02 per pound.
International Comparison
China Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
- All brass/bronze scrap categories recorded decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Top Loser: Yellow Brass ↓0.52%
India Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
- All brass/bronze scrap categories recorded week-over-week decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
LEAD SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Lead Scrap Prices: Lead scrap prices stayed flat throughout the week, reflecting stable market conditions. Scrap Auto Battery prices also remained unchanged, closing the week at $0.24 per pound with no notable movement.
Chart
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in Scrap Auto Batteries.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0 | Nil |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Lead Scrap Prices
The price of Scrap Auto Batteries on the Scrap Monster Price Index held steady as of Thursday, December 18, 2025.
USA Midwest Lead Scrap Prices
By the conclusion of the week ended December 18, 2025, the price of Scrap Auto Batteries maintained previous week’s price level.
USA West Coast Lead Scrap Prices
The prices of Scrap Auto Batteries recorded no change on the Scrap Monster Price Index as of Thursday, December 18, 2025.
International Comparison
China Lead Scrap Prices
- Soft Lead and #2 Lead scrap prices posted decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index. The prices of these categories were down by 0.72% and 0.73% respectively over the prior week.
- Auto Battery prices were down by 0.74% to end the week at CNY 6,700 per MT.
India Lead Scrap Prices
- All lead scrap categories recorded week-over-week decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Top Loser: Lead ingot ↓1.10%
ZINC SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Zinc Scrap Prices: Zinc scrap prices weakened over the past week, with several categories posting modest declines. New Zinc Die Cast prices slipped by $0.03 per pound to $0.81, while Old Zinc Die Cast fell 4.23% by the end of the week.
Charts
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in New Zinc Die Cast and Old Zinc Die Cast.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0.03 | -3.57% | |
0.0 | -4.23% |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Zinc Scrap Prices
The price of New Zinc Die Cast on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded a decline of $0.03 per Lb as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. Also, Old Zinc Die Cast prices inched lower by 4.23% over the previous week.
USA Midwest Zinc Scrap Prices
By the conclusion of the week ended December 18, 2025, the prices of New Zinc Die Cast and Old Zinc Die Cast recorded decline from the previous week’s price levels. New Zinc Die Cast prices were down by 3.57%, while Old Zinc Die Cast prices edged lower by 4.23% week-on-week.
USA West Coast Zinc Scrap Prices
The prices of New Zinc Die Cast recorded week-over-week decline by 3.57% on the Scrap Monster Price Index as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. Similarly, the Old Zinc Die Cast prices were down by 4.23% week-over-week.
International Comparison
- Shred zinc scrap prices recorded a dip of ↓1.82% on the Scrap Monster Price Index. The commodity's price closed at CNY 16,150 per MT during the week ended December 18, 2025.
- Tin Slab prices held steady week-over-week on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Zinc slab prices recorded a modest decline of ↓5.63% over the previous week
FERROUS SCRAP
Market Drivers
Infrastructure Development Projects – Large construction initiatives drive steel and scrap demand, supporting prices.
Currency Fluctuations – Exchange rate changes impact export/import costs, affecting scrap competitiveness globally.
Technological Upgrades in Recycling – Advanced shredding and sorting improve scrap quality, boosting market value.
Global Steel Inventory Levels – High inventory of finished steel can lower scrap purchases, while low inventory supports higher scrap demand.
- Investor and Speculative Activity – Market sentiment and speculative buying/selling in scrap futures or related commodities can cause short-term price fluctuations.
STEEL SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Steel Scrap Prices: Steel scrap prices showed little movement over the past week, indicating a steady market environment. #1 HMS remained unchanged at $315 per metric ton, while Shredded Auto Scrap held firm at $365 per metric ton. HMS 80/20 continued to trade at $255 per metric ton, and #1 Busheling stayed flat at $380 per metric ton.
Charts
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in #1 HMS, Shredded Auto Scrap, HMS 80/20, and #1 Busheling.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil | |
0 | Nil |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Steel Scrap Prices
The price of #1 HMS on the Scrap Monster Price Index reported no change as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. Shredded Auto Scrap prices were unchanged on the Index upon comparison with the prior week. By the end of the week, the price of HMS 80/20 had recorded no change. #1 Busheling prices also were flat over the previous week.
USA Midwest Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady on the Scrap Monster Price Index. Shredded Auto Scrap closed the week at $365 per MT, recording no variation from the beginning of the week. The HMS 80/20 prices were stable. Also, the price of # Busheling recorded no weekly fluctuation.
USA West Coast Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS’s price on the Scrap Monster Price Index was flat as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. Shredded Auto Scrap witnessed no movement, closing the at $365 per MT. By the end of the week, the price of HMS 80/20 had recorded no fluctuation. #1 Busheling prices also held steady over the previous week.
International Comparison
China Flat
China Steel Scrap Prices
- All the steel scrap categories held steady on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap prices were flat at $1,630 and $1,730 per MT respectively.
STAINLESS STEEL SCRAP PRICES
Market Highlights
North America Stainless Steel Scrap Prices: Over the previous week, stainless steel scrap prices declined on the Scrap Monster Price Index. 304 SS Solid scrap prices declined on a week-on-week basis, slipping from $0.60 per pound to $0.59 per pound.
Chart
The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in 304 SS Solid scrap.
Category | Price Change ($) | % Change |
0.01 | -1.67% |
Access our Daily Scrap Metal Price Report Hub
Track real-time prices via our US Scrap Price Index
USA East Coast Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
The price of 304 SS Solid on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded a dip of ↓1.67% as of Thursday, December 18, 2025.
USA Midwest Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
304 SS Solid prices registered a marginal decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index. The price of the commodity dropped by $0.01 per Lb to end the week at $0.59 per Lb.
USA West Coast Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
The price of 304 SS Solid on the Scrap Monster Price Index recorded a downward movement, falling by $0.01 per Lb to $0.59 per pound during the week ended Thursday, December 18, 2025.
International Comparison
China ↓0.49%
China Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- All the stainless steel scrap categories recorded decline on the Scrap Monster Price Index.
- Top losers: 201 SS ↓1.00%, 316 SS Solid ↓0.74%
See all Stainless steel daily reports → | Stainless Steel Price Index → | Related Stainless steel news →
Weekly Market Drivers
- Mills & buy programs- U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises in Mid-December 2025, Says AISI Report
- Export/Import- U.S. Steel Import Permits Fall in October; Finished Steel Imports Rise
- Trade/policy- EU Steel Market Eyes 2026 Recovery on CBAM, Trade Measures
- Scrap Market Trends- U.S. Recycled Steel Prices Rise in December 2025 After Subdued Period
- Freight/Logistics/Energy- Colorado steel mill halts rail shipments to BNSF and UP
Global Comparison & Policy Impact
USA vs. China/India
Steel: Flat trend across all major regions
- Stainless Steel: U.S.-↓1.67% ; China- ↓0.49%
Expert Quote:
“Imported ferrous scrap prices in Turkey edged slightly lower week‑on‑week as mill buying remains tentative and downstream rebar demand softens toward year‑end, underlining a cautious market sentiment that could persist until clearer signals of demand recovery emerge.” — Regional Commodity Specialist, BigMint Bureau.
Market Outlook
- Continued Pressure from Subdued Steel Demand- Ferrous scrap prices are under pressure as finished steel demand has softened in major regions such as North America and parts of Asia, keeping mills’ scrap procurement selective and dampening short‑term price recovery.
- Stable to Moderately Growing Trade Volumes- Global scrap trade volumes have shown modest year‑on‑year growth, indicating some resilience in cross‑border demand even amid slower overall consumption, which may help underpin pricing in certain corridors.
- EAF Adoption and Structural Demand Support- The ongoing shift to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking continues to support structural demand for ferrous scrap over the medium term, as EAFs rely more heavily on recycled content for production. This trend is expected to provide steady baseline demand even if cyclical pricing remains uneven.
- Energy Cost Volatility- Fluctuating energy prices directly impact scrap processing and melting costs. High electricity or fuel costs can squeeze recyclers’ margins, leading to more cautious purchasing and putting downward pressure on spot scrap prices. Conversely, stable or lower energy costs may support improved buying activity.
- Medium‑Term Growth Driven by Sustainability and Regulation- Longer‑term forecasts point to continued growth in ferrous scrap recycling markets, driven by sustainability initiatives, carbon‑reduction policies, and increasing incorporation of recycled steel in construction and automotive sectors. Industry projections suggest steady expansion through 2030 and beyond, supporting broader market fundamentals.
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