Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Post Broad Gains; Stainless Steel Falls on the Index– October 23, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-10-26 03:43:06
The gains were not universal. Selected stainless steel grades weakened by as much as CNY 250/MT, while steel scrap remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal buying benchmarks moved mostly higher on Friday, October 23, 2026, with copper providing the strongest upward move on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
Major clean copper grades gained CNY 350 per metric ton, while several aluminum grades rose by CNY 100–200/MT. Red Brass and Yellow Brass also moved higher.
The gains were not universal. Selected stainless steel grades weakened by as much as CNY 250/MT, while steel scrap remained unchanged.
Clean Copper Scrap Gains CNY 350/MT
Copper recorded the largest gains among the major Chinese scrap categories tracked during the session.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each advanced CNY 350/MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% Recovery gained CNY 150/MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire with 50% Recovery rose CNY 100/MT.
Cu/Al Radiators increased CNY 1000/MT, while Heater Cores posted a similar CNY 100/MT gain.
Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Harness Wire with 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units were unchanged from the previous session.
Aluminum Advances Across Multiple Grades
Aluminum scrap also moved broadly higher, although the increases were smaller than those recorded in clean copper.
6063 Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots each gained CNY 200/MT.
Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers each increased CNY 100/MT.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet advanced CNY 200/MT, while UBC and Zorba 90% NF rose CNY 100/MT.
Steel Scrap Holds Steady
Steel scrap recorded no variation during the September 29 session.
#1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap both remained unchanged.
All Stainless Grades Move Lower
Stainless steel moved against the broader nonferrous trend.
201 SS prices dropped CNY 250 per MT.
304 SS Solid, 309 SS, and 316 SS Solid prices saw a decline of CNY 200 per MT each.
304 SS Turning and Shred SS prices were down by CNY 150 per MT each, while 310 SS recorded the largest decline, falling by CNY 250 per MT on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Move Higher
Brass and bronze scrap prices recorded more modest gains.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass each increased CNY 100/MT from the previous session.
Brass Radiator scrap declined by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
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POLL
Which Chinese scrap metal category showed the strongest overall performance on October 23, 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Chinese scrap metal prices perform on October 23, 2026?
Chinese scrap metal prices moved in different directions on October 23. Copper and aluminum scrap prices generally increased, while stainless steel grades declined. Steel scrap prices remained unchanged, indicating varied market conditions across the major scrap categories tracked by the ScrapMonster Price Index.
- Which scrap metal grades recorded the largest price increases?
Cu/Al Radiators recorded the largest reported increase, rising CNY 1,000 per metric ton. Among the major copper grades, #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each advanced CNY 350/MT.
- Why did stainless steel scrap prices move lower?
Stainless steel scrap prices weakened while other nonferrous categories strengthened. The reported declines ranged from CNY 150/MT for 304 SS Turning and Shred SS to CNY 250/MT for 201 SS and 310 SS. The available price data does not establish the specific reasons behind these declines.
