Chinese Scrap Prices Fall Broadly as Copper Drops CNY 1,000/MT

China's scrap market turned lower on September 2, led by CNY 1,000-per-metric-ton declines in major clean copper grades. Stainless steel and brass/bronze also weakened, while aluminum and steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

By Anil Mathews
Published September 3, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Copper recorded the steepest losses, while stainless steel and brass/bronze also moved lower. Aluminum and steel scrap prices held steady.

The September 2 decline marked a sharp reversal from the previous session for several major grades. On September 1, #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing had each risen CNY 150 per MT, while tracked stainless steel grades posted gains ranging from CNY 50 to CNY 200 per MT.

Regional price direction also diverged on September 2. On ScrapMonster's North American Index, major clean copper grades increased $0.05 per lb and several major brass grades gained $0.01 per lb, while China's copper and brass markets moved lower during the same Index date.

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices declined across multiple categories compared with the previous day, with the largest losses concentrated in higher-value clean copper grades.

• #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: down CNY 1,000 per MT each.
• #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): down CNY 500 per MT.
• #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery) and Cu/Al Radiators: down CNY 200 per MT each.
• Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: down CNY 50 per MT each.
• Harness Wire (35% Recovery): down CNY 100 per MT.
• Heater Cores: down CNY 400 per MT.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices showed no day-over-day change, leaving the tracked market broadly steady.

• 6063 Aluminum Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers held steady.
• E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast Aluminum, Old Sheet Aluminum, Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% NF recorded no price variation.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady on the Index.

Cast Iron Scrap also recorded no change from the previous day.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel scrap prices declined across all tracked grades, with losses ranging from CNY 50 to CNY 150 per MT.

• 201 SS: down CNY 50 per MT.
• 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and Shred SS: down CNY 100 per MT each.
• 309 SS, 310 SS and 316 SS Solid: down CNY 150 per MT each.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

Brass and bronze scrap prices in China also weakened from the previous day's levels.

• Brass Radiator: down CNY 150 per MT.
• Red Brass and Yellow Brass: down CNY 200 per MT each.