Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Rise Sharply Across Major Grades on the Index– April 16, 2026
Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded notable gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, April 16, 2026.
- Copper: Broad-based surge
- Aluminum: Consistent upward movement
- Brass/Bronze: Slight increase
- Stainless Steel: Flat trend
- Steel: Stable / unchanged
Copper, aluminum, and brass/bronze scrap prices rose compared to the previous day, while stainless steel and steel scrap prices remained steady on the Index.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 1,000 per MT compared to the previous day, while #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also rose by CNY 1,000 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 500 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 200 per MT.
Other segments of the copper market saw moderate gains, with Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes rising by CNY 50 per MT each.
Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 200 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) inched up CNY 50 per MT.
Heater Cores gained CNY 400 per MT, and Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices also increased by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
In short, the copper scrap market displayed consistent upward momentum across most categories.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 700 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 700 per MT.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 350 per MT each on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched higher by CNY 700 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 700 per MT as of April 16, 2026.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices increased by CNY 350 per MT each from the previous day’s price.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of April 16, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Recorded no variation
- 304 SS Solid: Held steady
- 304 SS Turning: Flat trend
- 309 SS: Displayed no price change
310 SS prices recorded no variation as of Thursday, April 16, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices were unchanged over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices held steady on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded modest jump as of April 16, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 100 per MT
- Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 200 per MT
- Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 200 per MT