Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Register Broad Decline on the Index – October 15, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-10-16 07:52:59
Except for Used Beverage Cans (UBC), which rose by CNY 250 per MT, aluminum scrap prices declined across all listed grades.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices displayed a weak trend on the ScrapMonster Price Index on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with copper scrap recording the largest declines.
Except for Used Beverage Cans (UBC), which rose by CNY 250 per MT, aluminum scrap prices declined across all listed grades.
Brass and bronze scrap also weakened. Selected stainless steel scrap grades declined, but steel scrap prices remained unchanged.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper scrap recorded the strongest losses of the session.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each declined by CNY 2,000 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery fell CNY 1,000 per MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery declined CNY 400 per MT.
Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, and Harness Wire 35% Recovery dropped by CNY 100 per MT each.
Heater Cores were down CNY 800 per MT, while Cu/Al Radiators saw a dip of CNY 400 per MT on the Index.
Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units each slipped CNY 50 per MT.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots each fell CNY 350 per MT.
Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers declined CNY 150 per MT each.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each lost CNY 350 per MT.
Bucking the general trend, Used Beverage Cans (UBC) posted a gain of CNY 250 per MT on the index.
Zorba 90% NF declined CNY 150 per MT from the previous day’s closing price.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap was the only major category to remain fully unchanged.
#1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap both maintained their previous-day levels on the Index.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel scrap prices mostly declined on the Index. The only exception was 201 SS, which remained flat.
304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and Shred SS prices dropped by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
309 SS and 316 SS Solid each declined CNY 100 per MT, while 310 SS fell CNY 150 per MT.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze scrap prices also moved lower.
Brass Radiator declined CNY 300 per MT.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass each fell CNY 400 per MT.
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Which Chinese scrap metal category recorded the weakest price performance on October 15, 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Chinese scrap metal prices perform on October 15, 2026?
Chinese scrap metal prices generally moved lower on the ScrapMonster Price Index. Copper scrap recorded the sharpest declines, while aluminum, stainless steel, brass and bronze scrap prices also weakened. Steel scrap prices remained unchanged across the listed grades.
- Which Chinese copper scrap grades recorded the largest price declines?
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing recorded the largest declines, with each grade falling by CNY 2,000 per MT. Other copper-bearing materials, including Heater Cores and insulated copper wire, also registered notable losses.
- Which scrap metal grades bucked the overall downward trend?
Used Beverage Cans (UBC) were a notable exception in the aluminum scrap category, rising by CNY 250 per MT. In the stainless steel category, 201 SS prices remained unchanged, while steel scrap grades #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap also held steady.
