Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Post Mixed Trends on the Index– May 12, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese copper, aluminum and brass/bronze scrap prices recorded notable gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Stainless steel scrap prices dipped, whereas steel scrap prices held steady on the Index.

• Copper: Broad-based surge

• Aluminum: Consistent upward movement

• Brass/Bronze: Slight increase

• Stainless Steel: Edged lower

• Steel: Stable / unchanged

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 1,850 per MT compared to the previous day. Also, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing rose by CNY 1,850 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 900 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 450 per MT.

Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes reported an increase of CNY 100 per MT each on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 450 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) inched up CNY 150 per MT.

Heater Cores gained CNY 800 per MT, whereas Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices saw slight increase by CNY 100 per MT each on the Index.

In short, the copper scrap market displayed consistent upward momentum across most categories.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 50 per MT in prices over the previous day.

Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 50 per MT.

The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were unchanged on the Index.

E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched higher by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.

Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 50 per MT as of May 12, 2026.

UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices reported no variation from the previous day’s price.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of May 12, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

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

• 304 SS Solid: Saw a dip of CNY 100 per MT

• 304 SS Turning: Dropped by CNY 100 per MT

• 309 SS: Edged lower by CNY 200 per MT

310 SS prices recorded a decline of CNY 250 per MT as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

316 SS Solid prices were down by CNY 200 per MT over the previous day’s prices.

Also, Shred SS prices dropped by CNY 100 per MT on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded modest jump as of May 12, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 250 per MT

• Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 400 per MT

• Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 400 per MT

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