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Chinese Scrap Metal Prices: Copper Rebounds CNY 350/MT, Stainless Falls – October 23, 2026
Chinese scrap metal buying benchmarks recovered across copper, aluminum and selected brass grades on October 23, 2026. Major clean copper grades gained CNY 350 per metric ton following Thursday's sharp decline, while all listed stainless steel grades weakened and steel scrap remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
Report date: October 26, 2026
Market data: October 23, 2026
Market at a Glance
- Copper: Three major clean grades ↑CNY 350/MT, partially recovering Thursday's CNY 1,000/MT decline.
- Aluminum: Broad gains of CNY 100–200/MT across all nine listed grades.
- Brass/Bronze: Red Brass and Yellow Brass ↑CNY 100/MT; Brass Radiator ↓CNY 50/MT.
- Stainless Steel: All seven listed grades declined, with 310 SS falling CNY 250/MT.
- Steel: → Flat across both listed benchmarks.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices recorded a mixed but predominantly positive session on Friday, October 23, 2026, as copper, aluminum and selected brass benchmarks advanced on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each gained CNY 350 per metric ton, recovering part of the previous session's substantial losses.
Aluminum strengthened across every listed grade, with increases ranging from CNY 100 to CNY 200/MT. Red Brass and Yellow Brass also advanced, although Brass Radiator moved lower.
Stainless steel followed a different direction. All seven listed grades declined, led by a CNY 250/MT drop in 310 SS. Steel scrap prices remained unchanged.
Benchmark buying-price move: ScrapMonster reports changes in benchmark buying prices. Actual transaction quotations can vary by grade, quality, quantity, location and buyer.
ScrapMonster Edge: Copper Recovers, but Remains CNY 800/MT Lower Over Three Sessions
Friday's copper advance needs to be considered alongside the sharp losses recorded during the previous two sessions.
China's three major clean copper grades fell CNY 150/MT on October 21, followed by a much larger CNY 1,000/MT decline on October 22.
The October 23 increase of CNY 350/MT recovered part of that decline, but the benchmarks remained substantially below their October 20 closing levels.
| Market Date | Daily Copper Move | Since Oct. 20 Close |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 21 | ↓150 | −150 |
| Oct. 22 | ↓1,000 | −1,150 |
| Oct. 23 | ↑350 | −800 |
Source: ScrapMonster published daily benchmark changes. All table movements are expressed in CNY per metric ton and measured against the October 20 close for #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing.
Across October 22 and 23 alone, the same three grades recorded a net decline of CNY 650/MT.
Aluminum showed a contrasting pattern. Five important grades, including 6063 Extrusions and E.C. Aluminum Wire, gained CNY 100/MT on Thursday and another CNY 200/MT on Friday, producing a combined CNY 300/MT advance over those two sessions.
The distinction is important for market participants: copper recovered only part of its recent losses, while aluminum extended an existing advance. Stainless steel moved lower after recording gains earlier in the week.
Copper Scrap Prices Rebound CNY 350/MT
Copper recorded some of the strongest gains among China's major scrap categories on October 23.
The three principal clean copper benchmarks each increased CNY 350/MT, while selected insulated wire and other copper-bearing grades recorded smaller advances.
| Copper Grade | Oct. 23 Change |
|---|---|
| #1 Copper Bare Bright | ↑350 CNY/MT |
| #1 Copper Wire and Tubing | ↑350 CNY/MT |
| #2 Copper Wire and Tubing | ↑350 CNY/MT |
| #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery | ↑150 CNY/MT |
| #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery | ↑100 CNY/MT |
| Cu/Al Radiators | ↑100 CNY/MT |
| Heater Cores | ↑100 CNY/MT |
Copper Grades That Held Steady
Five copper-bearing categories recorded no daily price movement:
- Copper Transformer Scrap
- Cu Yokes
- Harness Wire 35% Recovery
- Scrap Electric Motors
- Sealed Units
The recovery was therefore concentrated in clean copper and selected recovery grades rather than extending uniformly across every category.
Aluminum Scrap Prices Advance Across All Listed Grades
Aluminum recorded widespread gains, extending the category's positive movement from the previous session.
6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each increased CNY 200/MT.
Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Transformers, UBC and Zorba 90% NF also advanced, rising CNY 100/MT each.
| Aluminum Grade | Oct. 23 Change |
|---|---|
| 6063 Extrusions | ↑200 CNY/MT |
| Aluminum Ingots | ↑200 CNY/MT |
| E.C. Aluminum Wire | ↑200 CNY/MT |
| Old Cast | ↑200 CNY/MT |
| Old Sheet | ↑200 CNY/MT |
| Aluminum Radiators | ↑100 CNY/MT |
| Aluminum Transformers | ↑100 CNY/MT |
| UBC | ↑100 CNY/MT |
| Zorba 90% NF | ↑100 CNY/MT |
The gains were broader and more consistent than those recorded in copper, with every aluminum benchmark covered in the report moving higher.
For 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet, the combined October 22–23 increase reached CNY 300/MT.
Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Show Mixed Movement
Brass and bronze benchmarks recovered selectively, with gains in the two principal brass categories offset by a decline in radiator scrap.
- Red Brass: ↑CNY 100/MT.
- Yellow Brass: ↑CNY 100/MT.
- Brass Radiator: ↓CNY 50/MT.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass had each declined CNY 200/MT on October 22. Friday's CNY 100/MT advances recovered half of those losses, leaving both benchmarks CNY 100/MT lower across the two sessions.
The mixed performance also shows that the recovery in China's copper-related scrap market was not uniform across all brass and radiator categories.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Decline Across Every Listed Grade
Stainless steel moved against the broader nonferrous recovery on October 23.
All seven listed stainless grades declined, led by 310 SS, which fell CNY 250/MT.
| Stainless Grade | Oct. 23 Change |
|---|---|
| 201 SS | ↓100 CNY/MT |
| 304 SS Solid | ↓200 CNY/MT |
| 304 SS Turning | ↓150 CNY/MT |
| 309 SS | ↓200 CNY/MT |
| 310 SS | ↓250 CNY/MT |
| 316 SS Solid | ↓200 CNY/MT |
| Shred SS | ↓150 CNY/MT |
The decline followed gains earlier in the week, particularly in 309 SS, 310 SS and 316 SS Solid.
On October 22, 310 SS had advanced CNY 100/MT. Friday's CNY 250/MT decline more than reversed that gain, leaving the grade CNY 150/MT lower across the two sessions.
The widespread movement marked a clear shift from Thursday's selective stainless steel advances.
Steel Scrap Prices Remain Unchanged
Chinese steel scrap benchmarks recorded no variation during the October 23 session.
- #1 HMS: → Flat.
- Cast Iron Scrap: → Flat.
Both grades also remained unchanged on October 22, extending the period of stability in the listed Chinese ferrous scrap benchmarks.
The steady steel readings contrasted with Friday's movements across copper, aluminum, brass/bronze and stainless steel.
ScrapMonster Market Read
October 23 brought a broad improvement in Chinese copper and aluminum scrap prices, but the underlying trends differed considerably between categories.
Copper rebounded rather than fully recovered. The three major clean grades gained CNY 350/MT after declining CNY 1,000/MT the previous session. Over the final three sessions of the week, those benchmarks remained a net CNY 800/MT lower.
Aluminum maintained a stronger short-term pattern, extending Thursday's gains across all listed grades. Several important aluminum benchmarks advanced a combined CNY 300/MT over October 22–23.
Brass and bronze showed a narrower recovery. Red Brass and Yellow Brass regained part of Thursday's losses, but Brass Radiator continued to decline.
Stainless steel moved in the opposite direction, with declines across every listed grade. Steel scrap remained unchanged.
For recyclers, processors and scrap buyers, the session demonstrates why individual commodity and grade movements matter more than the direction of the overall index. Friday's gains were widespread, but they did not represent a uniform recovery across China's scrap metal market.
What to Watch Next
- Copper: Whether major clean grades extend their rebound after remaining CNY 650/MT lower across October 22–23.
- Aluminum: Whether the category maintains the broad gains recorded over the final two sessions.
- Brass/Bronze: Whether Red Brass and Yellow Brass recover the remainder of Thursday's losses.
- Stainless Steel: Whether the decline across all listed grades continues after earlier gains.
- Steel: Whether #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap remain stable in the next pricing update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Chinese clean copper scrap prices rise on October 23?
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each gained CNY 350/MT.
Did copper recover Thursday's entire decline?
No. The three major clean grades rose CNY 350/MT after falling CNY 1,000/MT, leaving a two-session net decline of CNY 650/MT.
Which aluminum grades recorded the largest gains?
6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each advanced CNY 200/MT.
Did stainless steel scrap prices increase?
No. All seven listed stainless grades declined, with 310 SS recording the largest confirmed drop at CNY 250/MT.
Did Chinese steel scrap prices change?
No. #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap remained unchanged on October 23.
