Chinese Scrap Prices Slide Across Major Metal Categories on the Index – August 19, 2026

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

Summary

Copper prices fell sharply, with #1 Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each dropping CNY 1,000 per MT.
Aluminum scrap prices declined across all categories, with several grades falling by CNY 250 per MT.
Market performance was mixed: Brass and bronze prices weakened, while steel and stainless steel scrap prices remained stable.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Copper Scrap Prices

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

#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 1,000 per MT each
#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 500 per MT
#2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery): dropped by CNY 150 per MT
Copper Transformer Scrap: Recorded no variation
Cu Yokes, Harness Wire (35% Recovery), Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: saw declines of CNY 50 per MT on the Index
Cu/Al Radiators: declined by CNY 150 per MT
Heater Cores: decreased by CNY 400 per MT

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across all categories on the Index.

· 6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots: fell by CNY 250 per metric ton each

· Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: declined by CNY 100 per MT each on the Index

· E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet: recorded a drop of CNY 250 per metric ton

· Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted a dip of CNY 100 per MT each in prices

#1 HMS prices held steady on the Index.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless steel scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index registered no change across key grades.

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline over the previous day.