Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Rise; Stainless Steel, Steel Hold Steady on the Index- September 18, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-09-21 07:46:09
#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% recovery) climbed CNY 550 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) increased CNY 200 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices recorded modest gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Friday, September 18, 2026. Copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and brass/bronze scrap prices moved higher compared with the previous day, while steel scrap prices held steady.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on the China Copper Scrap Price Index. #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 1,100 per MT compared with the previous day. #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also rose by CNY 1,100 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% recovery) climbed CNY 550 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) increased CNY 200 per MT. Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes rose CNY 50 per MT and CNY 100 per MT, respectively.
Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 200 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) edged up CNY 50 per MT. Heater Cores gained CNY 450 per MT, and Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units each rose CNY 50 per MT.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
On the China Aluminum Scrap Price Index, 6063 Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots each rose CNY 150 per MT over the previous day. Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up CNY 50 per MT each.
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet each gained CNY 150 per MT. UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices rose CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady on the ScrapMonster China Steel Scrap Price Index. Cast Iron Scrap also reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
On the ScrapMonster China Stainless Steel Scrap Price Index, 201 SS prices held steady over the previous day’s prices.
Also, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, Shred SS, 309 SS, 316 SS Solid, and 310 SS prioes recorded no chnage on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass/bronze scrap prices recorded a notable jump on the China Brass/Bronze Scrap Price Index. Brass Radiator increased CNY 100 per MT, while Red Brass and Yellow Brass each edged higher by CNY 200 per MT.
Subscribe to Scrap Monster Live Scrap Prices
POLL
Which Chinese scrap metal segment showed the strongest price momentum on September 18, 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Chinese scrap metal prices perform on September 18, 2026?
Chinese scrap metal prices recorded modest overall gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index. Copper, aluminum and brass/bronze scrap categories moved higher, while steel and stainless steel prices remained largely unchanged.
- Which copper scrap grades recorded the biggest increase?
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing posted the largest increases, with each gaining CNY 1,100 per MT from the previous day. Other copper-containing materials also registered smaller gains.
- What happened to aluminum scrap prices in China?
Aluminum scrap prices increased across several categories. 6063 Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each rose by CNY 150 per MT, while Aluminum Radiators, Transformers, UBC and Zorba also recorded gains.
