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

Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-08-21 11:12:27 | By Anil Mathews

The #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a jump in prices of CNY 300 per MT over the previous day.

Summary

Copper prices strengthened: Major copper scrap grades, including Bare Bright and Copper Wire and Tubing, recorded notable gains, while insulated copper grades also moved higher.
Aluminum prices declined broadly: Aluminum scrap and related grades, including 6063 Extrusions, Old Cast, Old Sheet, E.C. Wire and UBC, registered day-on-day declines.
Ferrous and non-ferrous markets were mixed: Stainless steel and brass/bronze prices edged higher, while steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the index.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed performance on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Copper: Slight increase across select grades
Aluminum: Broad-based decline
Brass/Bronze: Witnessed a jump
Stainless Steel: Edged higher
Steel: Stable prices

Copper Scrap Prices

The #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a jump in prices of CNY 300 per MT over the previous day.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were up by CNY 150 per MT.

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

Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes prices witnessed no change on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator scrap and Heater Cores prices were up by CNY 50 per MT and CNY 100 per MT respectively on the Index.

Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices were flat on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum ingot prices registered a day-on-day price decline of CNY 100 per metric ton each.

Aluminum Radiator and Aluminum Transformer prices were down by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index. Meanwhile, E.C. Aluminum Wire recorded a sharper dip, falling by CNY 100 per metric ton compared with the day before.

Within the scrap segment, prices for Old Cast aluminum and Old Sheet aluminum also moved lower by CNY 100 per metric ton on the index assessment date. In the meantime, Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades declined by CNY 50 per MT from the previous day’s levels.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady on the Index.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, Shred SS: Recorded no variation on the Index
309 SS, 316 SS Solid: Up by CNY 50 per MT
310 SS: Saw an increase of CNY 100 per MT

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded increase on the Index.

Brass Radiator: Saw no variation
Red Brass and Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 50 per MT each