Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Record Mixed Movements on the Index – January 15, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-01-16 10:33:00
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 1,200 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed movements on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, January 15, 2026.
- Copper: Overall dip
- Aluminum: Dropped sharply
- Brass/Bronze: Across-the-board decline
- Stainless Steel: Widespread increase
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper, Aluminum and Brass/Bronze scrap prices recorded decline over the previous day. Steel scrap prices held steady. In contrast, Stainless Steel scrap prices reported jump on the Index.
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a dip in prices of CNY 1,200 per MT over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 1,200 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 600 per MT. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a drop of CNY 250 per MT over the previous day.
Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices dipped by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiator prices inched lower by CNY 250 per MT upon comparison with the prior day.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were down marginally by CNY 50 per MT as of Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Heater Cores prices dropped by CNY 500 per MT on the Index.
In the meantime, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices witnessed a decline of CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a dip of CNY 300 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also dropped by CNY 300 per MT on the Index.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were down by CNY 150 per MT each on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices edged lower by CNY 300 per MT over the previous day’s prices.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices witnessed declines by CNY 300 per MT each as of January 15, 2026.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices were down by CNY 150 per MT each from the previous day’s price.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of January 15, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Increased by CNY 200 per MT
- 304 SS Solid: Up by CNY 300 per MT
- 304 SS Turning: Jumped by CNY 300 per MT
- 309 SS: Edged higher by CNY 400 per MT
310 SS prices recorded a jump of CNY 500 per MT as of Thursday, January 15, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices were up by CNY 400 per MT over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices reported an increase of CNY 300 per MT on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded decline as of January 15, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Recorded decline by CNY 100 per MT
- Red Brass: Dipped by CNY 200 per MT
- Yellow Brass: Edged lower by CNY 200 per MT
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Based on current price movements, which scrap metal segment in China is most likely to remain firm in the near term?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which scrap metal category performed the best on January 15, 2026?
Stainless steel scrap performed the best, with strong gains seen in grades such as 310 SS, 316 SS solid, and 309 SS.
- How did copper scrap prices move?
Copper scrap prices declined across most categories, with notable drops of CNY 1,200 per MT in bare bright and copper wire and tubing grades.
- What drove the decline in aluminum scrap prices?
Aluminum scrap prices fell sharply due to broad-based weakness, including declines in extrusions, ingots, radiators, and E.C. aluminum wire.
