Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Rise on the Index, Driven by Copper and Brass Gains– September 22, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-09-23 11:17:34
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were unchanged on the Index.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices were mixed on the ScrapMonster Price Index on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with copper and brass/bronze moving higher while aluminum, steel and stainless steel remained unchanged.
| Metal | September 22 Move | Market Read |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | ▲ Up to CNY 1,100/MT | Broad-based gains led by major clean grades |
| Aluminum | → Flat | No movement across tracked grades |
| Steel | → Flat | #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap unchanged |
| Stainless Steel | → Flat | All tracked grades unchanged |
| Brass/Bronze | ▲ Up to CNY 200/MT | Red and Yellow Brass led gains |
SCRAPMONSTER EDGE
Copper clearly dominated the September 22 move. The CNY 1,100/MT increase in major clean copper grades was 5.5 times the maximum CNY 200/MT gain recorded in brass/bronze, while aluminum, steel and stainless steel did not move.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper scrap prices posted the strongest gains of the session.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each ▲ surged CNY 1,100/MT from the previous day.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% Recovery ▲ climbed CNY 550/MT, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire with 50% Recovery ▲ rose CNY 200/MT.
Copper Transformer Scrap was → unchanged.
Cu Yokes ▲ gained CNY 50/MT.
Cu/Al Radiator Scrap ▲ jumped CNY 200/MT, while Harness Wire with 35% Recovery ▲ edged up CNY 50/MT.
Heater Cores ▲ advanced CNY 450/MT, while Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units each ▲ gained CNY 50/MT.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum scrap prices were completely unchanged on the Index.
6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers all recorded → no variation.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, Old Sheet, UBC and Zorba 90% INF also remained → unchanged.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap prices remained stable during the session.
#1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap were both → unchanged from the previous day.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel prices recorded no variation across the tracked grades.
201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and Shred SS all remained → unchanged.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze scrap prices moved higher on the Index.
Brass Radiator ▲ increased CNY 100/MT.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass each ▲ gained CNY 200/MT.
Market Read
The September 22 Chinese scrap session was led overwhelmingly by copper, where major clean grades advanced CNY 1,100/MT. Brass and bronze also strengthened, although the gains were considerably smaller.
Aluminum, steel and stainless steel prices remained completely unchanged, leaving the day's upward momentum concentrated in the copper-bearing categories.
Benchmark buying-price move • Local quotes vary by grade and location.
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POLL
Which Chinese scrap metal category showed the strongest price movement on September 22, 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Chinese copper scrap prices perform on September 22, 2026?
Chinese copper scrap prices recorded broad-based gains. #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1/#2 Copper Wire and Tubing each rose by CNY 1,100 per MT, while several other copper grades posted smaller increases.
- Did aluminum scrap prices change in China?
No. Aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged across the grades tracked on the ScrapMonster Price Index, including 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, UBC, Old Cast, Old Sheet and Zorba 90% INF.
- What was the trend in Chinese steel and stainless steel scrap prices?
Both markets remained stable. #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap were unchanged, while all listed stainless steel grades, including 304 SS Solid, 309 SS, 310 SS and 316 SS Solid, recorded no variation.
