By Chinese Scrap Prices Rise as Copper Gains CNY 900/MT; Aluminum and Steel Hold Flat
Copper scrap posted broad-based gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index for August 26, with three major grades rising CNY 900 per metric ton. Brass/bronze also strengthened, 310 stainless steel edged higher, while aluminum and steel remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
Published August 27, 2026
Key Points
- #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each rose CNY 900 per MT.
- Red Brass and Yellow Brass gained CNY 150 per MT each, while Brass Radiator increased CNY 100 per MT.
- 310 SS advanced CNY 50 per MT, while the other listed stainless steel grades were unchanged.
- All tracked aluminum and steel scrap categories held steady on the Index.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices recorded notable gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Copper and brass/bronze scrap prices moved higher, while 310 stainless steel also advanced. Aluminum and steel scrap prices remained steady on the Index.
Copper Scrap Posts Broad-Based Gains
Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on the Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged CNY 900 per MT compared with the previous day. #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also rose CNY 900 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 450 per MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire with 50% recovery increased CNY 150 per MT.
Copper Transformer Scrap and Cu Yokes edged higher by CNY 50 per MT from the previous day.
Cu/Al Radiator scrap increased CNY 150 per MT, while Harness Wire with 35% recovery rose CNY 100 per MT.
Heater Cores gained CNY 400 per MT. Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units each increased CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
Aluminum and Steel Scrap Prices Hold Flat
6063 Extrusions remained unchanged from the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots also held flat on the Index.
Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers recorded no price movement.
E.C. Aluminum Wire showed no change on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices remained steady over the day.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF also remained unchanged compared with the prior day.
#1 HMS held steady on the Index.
Cast Iron Scrap also recorded no price change.
310 Stainless Steel Edges Higher
201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, Shred SS, 309 SS and 316 SS Solid recorded no variation from the previous day's prices.
310 SS was the only listed stainless steel grade to move higher, gaining CNY 50 per MT.
Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Advance
Brass and bronze scrap prices in China recorded notable gains on the Index.
- Brass Radiator: Increased CNY 100 per MT.
- Red Brass: Increased CNY 150 per MT.
- Yellow Brass: Increased CNY 150 per MT.
