Chinese Scrap Market Witnesses Split Trends Across Major Metal Categories on the Index– May 26, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed performance on the ScrapMonster Price Index, as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

• Copper: Significant downward  momentum

• Aluminum: Across-the-board surge

• Brass/Bronze: Downtrend

• Stainless Steel: Notable dip in prices

• Steel: Flat trend

Copper Scrap Prices

The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a decline in prices of CNY 650 per MT each over the previous day.

The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 650 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 300 per MT.

The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a decline of CNY 100 per MT over the previous day.

Copper Transformer scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.

Cu Yokes prices were down by CNY 50 per MT.

Cu/Al Radiator and Heater Cores prices dropped by CNY 100 per MT and CNY 200 per MT respectively as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices dropped by CNY 50 per MT upon comparison with the prior day’s prices.

Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices held steady on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Prices for 6063 aluminum extrusions increased by CNY 100 per metric ton compared with the previous day. Aluminum ingot values also rose by CNY 100 per metric ton from the last trading session.

On the index, aluminum radiator and aluminum transformer prices each recorded gains of CNY 50 per metric ton. Meanwhile, E.C. aluminum wire posted a more notable rise, advancing CNY 100 per metric ton as of May 26, 2026.

In the scrap market, both old cast aluminum and old sheet aluminum prices strengthened by CNY 100 per metric ton on the assessment date. However, used beverage cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades experienced more moderate increases, with each climbing CNY 50 per metric ton compared with the prior day’s pricing.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 26, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS: Witnessed a decline of CNY 50 per MT

• 304 SS Solid: Dropped by CNY 100 per MT

• 304 SS Turning: Down by CNY 100 per MT

• 309 SS: Recorded decline of CNY 200 per MT

The prices of 310 SS were down by CNY 250 per MT on a daily basis.

316 SS Solid prices saw a dip of CNY 200 per MT on the Index.

Also, Shred SS scrap prices were down by CNY 100 per MT as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline as of May 26, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Witnessed a decline of CNY 50 per MT

• Red Brass: Down by CNY 100 per MT

• Yellow Brass: Edged lower by CNY 100 per MT

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