Chinese Scrap Metal Prices See Broad-Based Jump; Stainless Steel Drops on the Index– July 21, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded notable gains across most categories on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Stainless Steel scrap prices dropped, while Steel scrap prices held steady on the Index.

• Copper: Broad-based surge

• Aluminum: Consistent upward movement

• Brass/Bronze: Widespread increase

• Stainless Steel: Edged lower

• Steel: Stable/unchanged

Copper, aluminum, and brass/bronze scrap prices jumped compared to the previous day, while steel scrap prices remained steady on the Index. In contrast, stainless steel scrap prices declined over the previous day.

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices saw broad-based gains on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

#1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing both surged by CNY 1,500 per MT compared to the previous day. Also, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing rose by CNY 1,500 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire with 85% recovery climbed CNY 750 per MT, and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) recorded an increase of CNY 300 per MT.

Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes reported a jump of CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator scrap jumped CNY 300 per MT, while Harness Wire (35% recovery) inched up CNY 100 per MT.

Heater Cores gained CNY 600 per MT, whereas Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices recorded slight increase by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 150 per MT in prices over the previous day.

Aluminum ingot prices also increased by CNY 150 per MT.

The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.

E.C Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet prices saw a jump of CNY 150 per MT on the Index as of July 21, 2026.

UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices increased by CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day’s price.

Steel Scrap Prices

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

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning: Held steady over the previous day

• 309 SS: Inched lower by CNY 50 per MT

310 SS prices reported a decline of CNY 100 per MT as of Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

316 SS Solid prices were down by CNY 50 per MT over the previous day’s prices.

Shred SS prices saw no change on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a notable jump as of July 21, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 200 per MT

• Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 300 per MT

• Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 300 per MT

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