Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Show Mixed Trends on the Index – May 20, 2026

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 300 per MT.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded a mixed trend on ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Copper Scrap Prices

The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a decline in prices of CNY 600 per MT each over the previous day.

The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 600 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 300 per MT.

The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a decline of CNY 100 per MT over the previous day.

Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices were down by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator prices edged lower by CNY 100 per MT.

Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices saw a dip of CNY 50 per MT as of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Heater Cores prices recorded a decline of CNY 250 per MT upon comparison with the prior day’s prices.

Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices also held steady on the Index.

Prices for 6063 aluminum extrusions and aluminum ingots held steady from the previous day.

Also, aluminum radiator and aluminum transformer prices remained stable on the Index.

E.C. aluminum wire prices were flat as of May 20, 2026.

Within the scrap segment, prices for both old cast aluminum and old sheet aluminum witnessed no variation on the assessment date.

Additionally, used beverage cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades remained unchanged, maintaining their prior levels.

#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 20, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

The price of 310 SS witnessed a jump of CNY 100 per MT on a daily basis.

316 SS Solid prices edged higher by CNY 50 per MT.

In the meantime, Shred SS scrap prices were flat as of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China reported decline as of May 20, 2026.