Chinese Scrap Market Sees Strong Uptrend Across Major Metal Grades– May 6, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded notable gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

• Copper: Broad-based surge

• Aluminum: Consistent upward movement

• Brass/Bronze: Slight increase

• Stainless Steel: Widespread increase

• Steel: Stable / unchanged

Copper, aluminum, stainless steel and brass/bronze scrap prices rose compared to the previous day, while steel scrap prices remained steady on the Index.

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 1,650 per MT compared to the previous day, while #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also rose by CNY 1,650 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 800 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 400 per MT.

Other segments of the copper market saw moderate gains, with Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes rising by CNY 100 per MT each.

Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 400 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) inched up CNY 100 per MT.

Heater Cores gained CNY 600 per MT, and Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices also increased by CNY 100 per MT on the Index.

In short, the copper scrap market displayed consistent upward momentum across all categories.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 250 per MT in prices over the previous day.

Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 250 per MT.

The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 150 per MT each on the Index.

E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched higher by CNY 250 per MT on the Index.

Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 250 per MT as of May 6, 2026.

UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices increased by CNY 150 per MT each from the previous day’s price.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 6, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS: Recorded a jump of CNY 150 per MT

• 304 SS Solid: Edged higher by CNY 200 per MT

• 304 SS Turning: Saw an increase of CNY 200 per MT

• 309 SS: Displayed an upward movement of CNY 250 per MT

310 SS prices recorded a jump of CNY 350 per MT as of Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

316 SS Solid prices went higher by CNY 250 per MT over the previous day’s prices.

Shred SS prices increased by CNY 200 per MT on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded modest jump as of May 6, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 250 per MT

• Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 350 per MT

• Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 350 per MT

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