Chinese Scrap Metal Prices See Slight Uptick on the Index – January 21, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-01-22 10:15:21
Also, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices witnessed no change on the Index.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded modest rise on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
- Copper: Modest gains
- Aluminum: Uniform upward momentum
- Brass/Bronze: Held steady
- Stainless Steel: No variation
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper and Aluminum scrap prices recorded increase over the previous day. In contrast, Stainless Steel, Brass/Bronze and Steel scrap prices held steady on the Index.
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a jump in prices of CNY 100 per MT over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged higher by CNY 100 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were up by CNY 50 per MT. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded no variation over the previous day.
Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices held steady on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiator prices were flat upon comparison with the prior day.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were stable as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Heater Cores prices were unchanged on the Index.
Also, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices witnessed no change on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 150 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots 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 prices inched higher by CNY 150 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 150 per MT as of January 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 January 21, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Reported no change
- 304 SS Solid: Held steady
- 304 SS Turning: Flat trend
- 309 SS: No variation in prices
310 SS prices recorded no change as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices were flat over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices reported no fluctuation on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded no variation as of January 21, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Recorded no change
- Red Brass: Held steady
- Yellow Brass: Flat trend
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Which scrap metal segment in China is most likely to see the next price movement?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which metals recorded price increases in China on January 21, 2026?
Copper and aluminum scrap prices rose, with copper up by up to CNY 100 per MT and aluminum increasing by up to CNY 150 per MT.
- Which segments remained stable?
Stainless steel, brass/bronze, and steel scrap prices held steady with no major day-on-day changes.
- What drove gains in aluminum scrap prices?
Higher prices for extrusions, ingots, and E.C aluminum wire, supported by firm downstream demand and constrained supply.
