Chinese Scrap Metal Market Registers Mixed Price Movements on the Index– March 12, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-03-13 07:23:15
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 50 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed performance on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, March 12, 2026.
- Copper: Marginal decline
- Aluminum: Edged higher modestly
- Brass/Bronze: No variation in prices
- Stainless Steel: Recorded increase
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a decline in prices of CNY 50 per MT each over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 50 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were flat on the Index.
The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded no change over the previous day.
Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiator and Heater Cores prices held steady as of Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were flat upon comparison with the prior day’s prices.
Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices held steady on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Prices for 6063 aluminum extrusions increased by CNY 50 per metric ton compared with the previous day. Aluminum ingot values also rose by CNY 50 per metric ton from the last trading session.
On the index, aluminum radiator and aluminum transformer prices each remained flat on the Index. Manwhile, E.C. aluminum wire posted a jump, advancing CNY 50 per metric ton as of March 12, 2026.
In the scrap market, both old cast aluminum and old sheet aluminum prices strengthened by CNY 50 per metric ton on the assessment date. However, used beverage cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades experienced no changes, with each maintaining the prior day’s pricing.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of March 12, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Witnessed no change in prices
- 304 SS Solid: Edged higher by CNY 50 per MT
- 304 SS Turning: Up by CNY 50 per MT
- 309 SS: Recorded jump of CNY 100 per MT
The prices of 310 SS were up by CNY 150 per MT on a daily basis.
316 SS Solid prices saw an increase of CNY 100 per MT on the Index.
Also, Shred SS scrap prices jumped by CNY 50 per MT as of Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China held steady as of March 12, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Witnessed no variation
- Red Brass: Flat trend
- Yellow Brass: Held steady
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the overall trend in Chinese scrap metal prices on March 12, 2026?
The market showed a mixed trend, with copper declining slightly, aluminum and stainless steel moving higher, and steel and brass/bronze remaining unchanged.
- Which copper scrap grades recorded price declines?
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each fell by CNY 50 per metric ton.
- Which stainless steel scrap grade saw the biggest price increase?
310 stainless steel recorded the largest gain, rising by CNY 150 per metric ton.
