Chinese Scrap Market Update: Copper and Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Fall on the Index- May 18, 2026
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed decline of CNY 400 per MT each over the previous day.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices, except that of copper and stainless steel, remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Monday, May 18, 2026. Aluminum, Steel, Brass, and Bronze scrap prices held steady.
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed decline of CNY 400 per MT each over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing was also down by CNY 400 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices edged lower by CNY 200 per MT over the previous day. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a dip of CNY 50 per MT over the previous day.
Copper Transformer scrap prices saw no variation in prices over the previous day. No price change was witnessed in Cu Yokes.
Cu/Al Radiators prices recorded a slight decline of CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices held steady as of Monday, May 18, 2026.
Also, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices remained unchanged.
In the meantime, Heater Cores prices dropped by CNY 100 per MT on a daily basis.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed no change over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots also were flat.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers recorded no variation.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices held steady on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices too, were flat as of May 18, 2026.
The prices of UBC and Zorba 90% INF did not change on the Index.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 18, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
201 SS prices were unchanged on the Index.
304 SS Solid prices too remained flat over the previous day.
The price of 304 SS Turning recorded saw no change.
309 SS and 316 SS prices dropped by CNY 50 per MT each when compared with the prior day’s price.
310 SS Solid scrap prices were down by CNY 100 per MT as of May 18, 2026.
Shred SS prices too saw no variation in prices over the day.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China remained unchanged.
Brass Radiator scrap prices held steady on May 18, 2026.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass prices were also flat on the Index.
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