What happened to Chinese copper scrap prices on August 18?

Copper scrap prices declined sharply across several grades, with some categories falling by as much as CNY 1,900 per MT.

What was the trend in stainless steel scrap?

Stainless steel scrap prices saw a slight decline, with 309 SS, 310 SS and 316 SS Solid down CNY 50 per MT.

Brass and bronze scrap prices weakened, with Brass Radiator down CNY 200 per MT and Red Brass and Yellow Brass falling CNY 300 per MT.

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

Summary

Copper Prices: Copper scrap recorded the steepest declines, with #1 Copper Bare Bright and wire/tubing grades falling by CNY 1,900 per MT.
Aluminum & Steel: Aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged across major grades, while #1 HMS and Cast Iron scrap also held steady.
Other Metals: Stainless steel prices edged lower, while brass and bronze scrap prices declined, led by drops in red and yellow brass.

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

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

#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 1,900 per MT each
#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 950 per MT
#2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery), Cu/Al Radiators: dropped by CNY 350 per MT
Copper Transformer Scrap, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: saw declines by CNY 50 per MT on the Index
Cu Yokes, Harness Wire (35% Recovery): decreased by CNY 100 per MT
Heater Cores: dropped by CNY 800 per MT on the Index

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index witnessed no change, reflecting a steady market.

6063 Aluminum Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: Held steady
E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast Aluminum, Old Sheet Aluminum, Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted no variation in prices

#1 HMS prices held steady on the Index.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless steel scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index registered a slight decline across select grades.

201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, Shred SS: witnessed no change in prices
309 SS, 310 SS, and 316 SS Solid: declined by CNY 50 per MT on the Index

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline when compared with the previous day’s prices.

Copper

Aluminum

Stainless Steel

What happened to Chinese copper scrap prices on August 18?
Copper scrap prices declined sharply across several grades, with some categories falling by as much as CNY 1,900 per MT.
What was the trend in stainless steel scrap?
Stainless steel scrap prices saw a slight decline, with 309 SS, 310 SS and 316 SS Solid down CNY 50 per MT.
How did brass and bronze scrap prices perform?
Brass and bronze scrap prices weakened, with Brass Radiator down CNY 200 per MT and Red Brass and Yellow Brass falling CNY 300 per MT.