China Scrap Metal Prices Mixed: Copper Jumps, Aluminum Dips on the Index– October 27, 2026

Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed movements on October 27, 2026. Three major clean copper grades gained CNY 300/MT and Red Brass and Yellow Brass rose CNY 50/MT. Aluminum declined across five grades, stainless steel weakened further and steel scrap remained unchanged. Clean copper has recovered 70% of its October 22 loss.

Summary

Copper Scrap Prices Continue to Rise
Copper led the gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index on October 27, 2026. #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each gained CNY 300 per MT. #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% recovery) and Heater Cores also recorded increases.
Aluminum and Stainless Steel Prices Decline
Aluminum scrap prices fell by CNY 50 per MT across 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet. Stainless steel prices also weakened, with 309 SS and 316 SS Solid declining by CNY 50 per MT each, while 310 SS dropped CNY 100 per MT.
Brass/Bronze Gains as Steel Prices Remain Stable
Red Brass and Yellow Brass prices each increased by CNY 50 per MT, while Brass Radiator prices remained unchanged. Steel scrap prices were steady, with #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap recording no change from the previous day's levels.

Chinese Scrap Metal Prices: Copper Jumps CNY 300/MT as Aluminum, Stainless Fall – October 27, 2026

Chinese scrap metal prices were mixed on October 27, 2026, as major clean copper grades gained CNY 300 per metric ton and Red Brass and Yellow Brass advanced CNY 50/MT. Aluminum and selected stainless steel grades declined, while steel scrap remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

By Anil Mathews
Report date: October 28, 2026
Market data: October 27, 2026

Market at a Glance

Copper: Three major clean grades ↑CNY 300/MT; insulated wire and Heater Cores also gained.
Aluminum: Five listed grades ↓CNY 50/MT.
Brass/Bronze: Red Brass and Yellow Brass ↑CNY 50/MT.
Stainless Steel: 310 SS ↓CNY 100/MT; 309 SS and 316 SS Solid ↓CNY 50/MT.
Steel: → Flat across both reported benchmarks.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal buying benchmarks recorded mixed movements on Tuesday, October 27, with copper extending its recent recovery on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each advanced CNY 300/MT, accelerating from the previous session's CNY 50/MT gains.

Brass prices also strengthened, but aluminum and selected stainless steel grades moved lower. Steel scrap remained unchanged.

Pricing note: ScrapMonster reports benchmark buying-price movements. Actual market quotations may vary by material grade, recovery, quality, quantity and location.

Exchange Market Context

Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) December 2026 copper futures (CU2612) closed October 27 at CNY 108,390/MT, up CNY 210 from the previous settlement.

December aluminum futures (AL2612) closed at CNY 23,405/MT, down CNY 70 against the previous settlement.

The exchange movements were consistent in direction with the day's copper and aluminum scrap benchmark changes. Futures prices and physical scrap buying prices represent different markets and should not be compared as equivalent quotations.

ScrapMonster Edge: Copper Recovers 70% of Its October 22 Loss

Tuesday's CNY 300/MT increase marked a third consecutive advance for China's three major clean copper benchmarks.

Following a CNY 1,000/MT decline on October 22, those grades recovered CNY 350/MT on October 23, CNY 50/MT on October 26 and another CNY 300/MT on October 27.

Market Date	Clean Copper Change
Oct. 22	↓CNY 1,000/MT
Oct. 23	↑CNY 350/MT
Oct. 26	↑CNY 50/MT
Oct. 27	↑CNY 300/MT
Net Change	−CNY 300/MT

Source: ScrapMonster daily benchmark movements, October 22–27, 2026. Net change measured against the October 21 close for the three major clean copper grades.

Market takeaway: Copper has recovered CNY 700/MT, or 70% of its October 22 decline, but remains below its pre-selloff benchmark. Aluminum reversed Monday's gains, while selected stainless grades extended their losses.

Copper Scrap Prices Rise CNY 300/MT

Three major clean copper grades each gained CNY 300/MT:

#1 Copper Bare Bright
#1 Copper Wire and Tubing
#2 Copper Wire and Tubing

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery advanced CNY 150/MT, while Heater Cores gained CNY 100/MT.

Unchanged: #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery, Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiators, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units.

Aluminum Scrap Prices Decline CNY 50/MT

Aluminum reversed some of the previous session's gains, with five grades falling 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.

Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Edge Higher

Brass benchmarks strengthened selectively on October 27.

Red Brass: ↑CNY 50/MT.
Yellow Brass: ↑CNY 50/MT.
Brass Radiator: → Flat.

The increases followed unchanged readings on October 26.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Extend Declines

Stainless steel remained under pressure, with three grades recording additional losses:

310 SS: ↓CNY 100/MT.
309 SS: ↓CNY 50/MT.
316 SS Solid: ↓CNY 50/MT.

Unchanged: 201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and Shred SS.

310 SS recorded the largest absolute stainless decline, following its CNY 50/MT decrease on October 26.

Steel Scrap Prices Remain Unchanged

Both listed Chinese steel scrap benchmarks held steady:

#1 HMS: → Flat.
Cast Iron Scrap: → Flat.

Live and Historical Scrap Prices

Explore grade-level pricing and market movements through the ScrapMonster China Scrap Price Index.

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POLL

Which scrap metal category recorded the strongest upward price movement in China on October 27, 2026?

Copper

Aluminum

Steel

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Chinese scrap metal prices perform on October 27, 2026?

Chinese scrap metal prices recorded a mixed performance on the ScrapMonster Price Index. Copper and brass/bronze prices moved higher, while aluminum and selected stainless steel grades declined. Steel scrap prices remained unchanged compared with the previous trading session.

Which copper scrap grades recorded the largest price increases?

#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each increased by CNY 300 per MT. Additionally, #1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery gained CNY 150 per MT, while Heater Cores rose by CNY 100 per MT. Several other copper scrap grades held steady.

Which aluminum and stainless steel grades recorded price declines?

Aluminum prices fell by CNY 50 per MT across 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet. In the stainless steel category, 309 SS and 316 SS Solid declined by CNY 50 per MT each, while 310 SS recorded a larger decrease of CNY 100 per MT.