Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Register Sharp Decline Across Categories on the Index – April 21, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

·         Copper: Exhibited downward momentum

·         Aluminum: Broad-based declines across all categories

·         Brass/Bronze: Flat trend

·         Stainless Steel: Modest day-on-day decline

·         Steel: Remained largely stable without notable change

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index declined across multiple categories on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, compared with the previous day.

·         #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 300 per MT each

·         #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: decreased by CNY 300 per MT

·         #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 150 per MT

·         #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery): displayed no variation in prices

·         Copper Transformer Scrap and Cu Yokes: held steady on the Index

·         Cu/Al Radiators: witnessed no change

·         Heater Cores: decreased by CNY 100 per MT

·         Harness Wire (35% Recovery): remained flat on a daily basis

·         Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: held steady upon comparison with the day before

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across most categories on April 21, 2026, reflecting a broad-based day-on-day decline.

·         6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots: fell by CNY 600 per metric ton each

·         Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: declined by CNY 300 per metric ton each

·         E.C. Aluminum Wire: recorded a sharper drop of CNY 600 per metric ton

·         Old Cast Aluminum and Old Sheet Aluminum: decreased by CNY 600 per metric ton each

·         Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted comparatively smaller losses of CNY 300 per metric ton each

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of April 21, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index registered consistent day-on-day declines across key grades on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

·         201 SS: decreased by CNY 50 per MT

·         304 SS Solid: dropped by CNY 50 per MT

·         304 SS Turning: fell by CNY 50 per MT

·         309 SS: declined by CNY 100 per MT

·         310 SS: recorded a sharper fall of CNY 150 per MT

·         316 SS Solid: edged lower by CNY 100 per MT

·         Shredded Stainless Steel: down by CNY 50 per MT

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded no change as of April 21, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Recorded no change in prices
• Red Brass: Held steady
• Yellow Brass: Flat trend/ No fluctuation  

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