By 
Chinese Scrap Metal Prices: Copper Surges CNY 750/MT, Aluminum Rebounds – October 28, 2026
Chinese scrap metal prices advanced on October 28, 2026, led by a CNY 750/MT increase in major clean copper grades. Aluminum recovered from the previous session's decline, while brass and bronze also strengthened. Stainless steel and ferrous scrap prices remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
Report date: October 29, 2026
Market data: October 28, 2026
Market at a Glance
- Copper: ↑ CNY 750/MT across three major clean grades; all 12 reported grades advanced.
- Aluminum: ↑ CNY 50/MT across five grades; four unchanged.
- Brass/Bronze: ↑ CNY 100–150/MT across all three listed grades.
- Stainless Steel: → Flat across all seven grades.
- Steel: → Flat across both reported benchmarks.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal buying benchmarks moved higher on Wednesday, October 28, with copper recording the strongest gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each jumped CNY 750 per metric ton, accelerating from Tuesday's CNY 300/MT increase.
Aluminum reversed the previous session's losses, while Red Brass, Yellow Brass and Brass Radiator also advanced. Stainless steel and steel prices remained unchanged.
ScrapMonster Edge: Copper Erases CNY 1,000/MT Loss and Moves Higher
China's three major clean copper grades have now recovered more than their sharp October 22 decline.
Following a CNY 1,000/MT drop on October 22, these grades gained CNY 350 on October 23, CNY 50 on October 26, CNY 300 on October 27 and another CNY 750 on October 28.
The combined CNY 1,450/MT recovery leaves clean copper benchmarks CNY 450/MT above their October 21 closing levels.
Market takeaway: Wednesday's rally more than erased the October 22 selloff, with gains extending across every reported copper grade. Aluminum also recovered, while steel and stainless steel remained stable.
Copper Scrap Prices Jump CNY 750/MT
Copper led the session, with all 12 reported grades advancing.
Three major clean copper benchmarks each gained CNY 750/MT:
- #1 Copper Bare Bright
- #1 Copper Wire and Tubing
- #2 Copper Wire and Tubing
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery increased CNY 350/MT, while Heater Cores gained CNY 300/MT.
#2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery and Cu/Al Radiators each advanced CNY 150/MT.
Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units each gained CNY 50/MT.
Aluminum Scrap Prices Rebound CNY 50/MT
Aluminum reversed Tuesday's decline, with five grades increasing CNY 50/MT:
- 6063 Extrusions
- Aluminum Ingots
- E.C. Aluminum Wire
- Old Cast
- Old Sheet
Unchanged: Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Transformers, UBC and Zorba 90% NF.
The five advancing grades recovered the CNY 50/MT declines recorded on October 27.
Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Strengthen
Brass and bronze prices advanced across all three listed categories:
- Red Brass: ↑CNY 150/MT.
- Yellow Brass: ↑CNY 150/MT.
- Brass Radiator: ↑CNY 100/MT.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass extended their previous session's CNY 50/MT increases.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Hold Steady
All seven reported stainless steel grades remained unchanged following Tuesday's declines.
201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and Shred SS maintained their previous-session benchmarks.
Steel Scrap Prices Remain Unchanged
Chinese steel scrap benchmarks recorded no day-over-day movement.
- #1 HMS: → Flat.
- Cast Iron Scrap: → Flat.
Pricing note: These are ScrapMonster benchmark buying-price movements. Actual local quotations may vary by grade, recovery, material quality, volume, location and buyer.
