Chinese Scrap Metal Market Records Strong Gains on the Index– May 22, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-05-25 00:46:12
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 400 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 100 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded notable gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Friday, May 22, 2026.
Copper: Broad-based surge
Aluminum: Consistent upward movement
Brass/Bronze: Widespread increase
Stainless Steel: Flat trend
Steel: Stable / unchanged
Copper, aluminum, and brass/bronze scrap prices rose compared to the previous day, while steel and stainless steel scrap prices remained steady on the Index.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Friday, May 22, 2026.
#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 800 per MT compared to the previous day. Also, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing rose by CNY 800 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 400 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 100 per MT.
Copper Transformer scrap prices reported no change over the previous day.
Cu Yokes reported a jump of CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 100 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) inched up CNY 50 per MT.
Heater Cores gained CNY 300 per MT, whereas Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices recorded no change on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 150 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 150 per MT.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices saw a jump of CNY 150 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 150 per MT as of May 22, 2026.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices increased by CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day’s price.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 22, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
201 SS: Saw no variation on the Index
304 SS Solid: Held steady
304 SS Turning: Recorded no change
309 SS: Flat trend
310 SS prices were flat as of Friday, May 22, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices saw no fluctuation over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices held steady on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a notable jump as of May 22, 2026.
Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 50 per MT
Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 100 per MT
Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 100 per MT
