Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Register Broad Decline on the Index – July 17, 2026

Daily Scrap Metal Price Report  |  2026-07-20 08:02:39   |   By

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across most categories on July 17, 2026, reflecting a broad-based day-on-day decline.

Summary
  • Copper prices fell sharply: Bare Bright, Copper Wire & Tubing, and other copper scrap grades posted significant declines, with losses of up to CNY 900 per MT.
  • Aluminum and brass weakened: Most aluminum scrap grades slipped by CNY 50 per MT, while brass scrap prices fell by CNY 100–150 per MT.
  • Steel and stainless stable: Steel scrap and all major stainless steel scrap grades recorded no price changes on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Friday, July 17, 2026.

  • Copper: Strong downward momentum

  • Aluminum: Broad-based declines across all categories

  • Brass/Bronze: Witnessed a weakening trend

  • Stainless Steel: Held steady

  • Steel: Remained stable without any change

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index declined across multiple categories on Friday, July 17, 2026, compared with the previous day.

·         #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 900 per MT each

·         #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: decreased by CNY 900 per MT

·         #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 450 per MT

·         #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery): dropped by CNY 150 per MT

·         Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Harness Wire (35% Recovery): saw declines by CNY 50 per MT on the Index

·         Cu/Al Radiators: declined by CNY 150 per MT

·         Heater Cores: decreased by CNY 350 per MT

·         Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: dropped by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across most categories on July 17, 2026, reflecting a broad-based day-on-day decline.

·         6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots: fell by CNY 50 per metric ton each

·         Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: held steady on the Index

·         E.C. Aluminum Wire: recorded a drop of CNY 50 per metric ton

·         Old Cast Aluminum and Old Sheet Aluminum: decreased by CNY 50 per metric ton each

·         Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted no variation in prices

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of July 17, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index registered no change across key grades on Friday, July 17, 2026.

  • 201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS: witnessed no change in prices

  • 310 SS, 316 SS Solid, Shredded Stainless Steel: held steady on the Index

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline as of July 17, 2026.

  • Brass Radiator: Dipped by CNY 100 per MT

  • Red Brass: Down by CNY 150 per MT

  • Yellow Brass: Edged lower by CNY 150 per MT

 

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