Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Witness Mixed Trends on the Index– July 28, 2026

Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-07-29 11:25:48 | By Anil Mathews

In short, gains in aluminum helped offset weakness in copper and stainless steel, leaving the broader Chinese scrap market mixed.

Summary

Copper weakened: Major copper scrap grades fell by up to CNY 200/MT, while heater cores declined CNY 50/MT.
Aluminum strengthened: Key aluminum grades, including 6063 Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots, gained CNY 50/MT.
Mixed overall market: Stainless steel prices fell by CNY 50–100/MT, while brass, bronze, and steel scrap prices remained unchanged.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices reported a mixed trend on the ScrapMonster Price Index on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as gains in aluminum were offset by weakness in copper and stainless steel pricing. Meanwhile, brass/bronze and steel scrap grades held steady on the Index.

Market Snapshot

Copper: Mostly lower, with key grades dropping by as much as CNY 200 per MT.
Aluminum: Broadly higher, with several benchmark grades up CNY 50 per MT.
Brass/Bronze: Remained flat over the previous day.
Stainless Steel: Lower across major grades, with declines ranging from CNY 50 to CNY 100 per MT.
Steel: Unchanged from the previous day.

Copper Scrap Prices Post Broad-Based Declines

Copper scrap prices moved lower across several key grades. #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each dropped by CNY 200 per MT from the previous day.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery saw a dip of CNY 100 per MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded no variation in prices.

Copper Transformer scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiators, and Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were unchanged on the Index.

Heater Cores prices were down by CNY 50 per MT.

Meanwhile, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units held steady over the previous day’s price.

Aluminum Scrap Prices Edge Higher

Aluminum scrap prices witnessed an upward trend across multiple grades. 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet each increased by CNY 50 per MT.

Meanwhile, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Transformers, UBC, and Zorba 90% INF recorded no change from the previous day’s prices.

Steel Scrap Prices Hold Steady

Steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the day. #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap both traded flat, signaling a stable near-term pricing environment in the ferrous scrap segment.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Drop

Stainless steel scrap prices moved lower across select listed grades.

201 SS, 304 SS Solid, and 304 SS Turning recorded no variation on the Index.

In the meantime, 309 SS decreased by CNY 50 per MT, 310 SS edged lower by CNY 100 per MT, and 316 SS Solid was down by CNY 50 per MT.

Shred SS remained flat on the Index.

Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Remain Flat

Brass and bronze scrap prices posted no change over the previous day. Brass Radiator prices were flat on the Index. Red Brass and Yellow Brass each recorded no variation from the previous day.

In short, gains in aluminum helped offset weakness in copper and stainless steel, leaving the broader Chinese scrap market mixed.