Chinese Scrap Market Sees Broad Price Declines on Index – January 22, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-01-23 11:03:43
Copper, Aluminum and Brass/ scrap prices recorded decline over the previous day.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices mostly declined on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, January 22, 2026.
- Copper: Modest declines
- Aluminum: Downward momentum
- Brass/Bronze: Across-the-board decline
- Stainless Steel: No variation
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper, Aluminum and Brass/ scrap prices recorded decline over the previous day. In the meantime, Bronze Stainless Steel and Steel scrap prices held steady on the Index.
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a dip in prices of CNY 600 per MT over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 600 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices reported a decline of CNY 300 per MT over the day. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery was down by CNY 100 per MT over the previous day.
Copper Transformer scrap prices held steady on the Index.
Cu Yokes and Cu/Al Radiator prices were down by CNY 50 per MT and CNY 100 per MT respectively on the Index.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices dropped by CNY 50 per MT as of Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Heater Cores prices saw a dip of CNY 250 per MT on the Index.
In the meantime, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices recorded no variation on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a dip of CNY 50 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also declined by CNY 50 per MT.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were unchanged on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched lower by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were down by CNY 50 per MT as of January 22, 2026.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices held steady on the Index.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of January 22, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Held stable
- 304 SS Solid: Witnessed no change
- 304 SS Turning: Flat trend
- 309 SS: Recorded no variation
310 SS prices were flat as of Thursday, January 22, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices were unchanged over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices reported no variation on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded decline as of January 22, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Edged lower by CNY 50 per MT
- Red Brass: Dropped by CNY 100 per MT
- Yellow Brass: Recorded a dip of CNY 100 per MT
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Chinese scrap metal prices perform on January 22, 2026?
Prices mostly declined, with copper, aluminum, and brass/bronze scrap trending lower, while stainless steel and steel scrap remained stable.
- Which copper scrap categories saw the largest price drops?
#1 Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire & Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire & Tubing each fell by CNY 600 per MT, marking the steepest daily declines.
- What was the trend in aluminum scrap prices?
Aluminum scrap prices showed downward momentum, with declines in 6063 extrusions, aluminum ingots, old cast, old sheet, and E.C. aluminum wire.
