Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Register Sharp Decline Across Categories on the Index – March 19, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, March 19, 2026.

·         Copper: Continued strong downward momentum

·         Aluminum: Broad-based declines across all categories

·         Brass/Bronze: Sustained weakening trend

·         Stainless Steel: Steep day-on-day drop

·         Steel: Remained largely stable without notable change

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index declined across multiple categories on Thursday, March 19, 2026, compared with the previous day.

·         #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 4,150 per MT each

·         #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: decreased by CNY 4,150 per MT

·         #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 2,050 per MT

·         #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery): dropped by CNY 1,000 per MT

·         Copper Transformer Scrap and Cu Yokes: edged lower by CNY 200 per MT each

·         Cu/Al Radiators: declined by CNY 1,000 per MT

·         Heater Cores: decreased by CNY 1,500 per MT

·         Harness Wire (35% Recovery): slipped by CNY 200 per MT

·         Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: down by CNY 150 per MT each

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across most categories on March 19, 2026, reflecting a broad-based day-on-day decline.

·         6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots: fell by CNY 550 per metric ton each

·         Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: declined by CNY 250 per metric ton each

·         E.C. Aluminum Wire: recorded a sharper drop of CNY 550 per metric ton

·         Old Cast Aluminum and Old Sheet Aluminum: decreased by CNY 550 per metric ton each

·         Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted comparatively smaller losses of CNY 250 per metric ton each

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of March 19, 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 Thursday, March 19, 2026.

·         201 SS: decreased by CNY 100 per MT

·         304 SS Solid: dropped by CNY 200 per MT

·         304 SS Turning: fell by CNY 250 per MT

·         309 SS: declined by CNY 300 per MT

·         310 SS: recorded a sharper fall of CNY 350 per MT

·         316 SS Solid: edged lower by CNY 300 per MT

·         Shredded Stainless Steel: down by CNY 250 per MT

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline as of March 19, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Dipped by CNY 700 per MT
• Red Brass: Down by CNY 1,000 per MT
• Yellow Brass: Edged lower by CNY 1,000 per MT

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