Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Record Mixed Moves on the Index – May 21, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed movement on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, May 21, 2026.

• Copper prices held steady

• Aluminum recorded a broad-based decline

• Brass and bronze remained flat

• Stainless steel witnessed a jump in prices

• Steel prices stayed stable

Copper Scrap Prices

Prices for #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire & Tubing remained unchanged compared to the previous day.

#2 Copper Wire & Tubing also held steady on the Index.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% recovery) showed no price movement, while #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) likewise remained flat from the prior day.

Copper Transformer scrap and Cu Yokes continued to maintain stable pricing on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator prices recorded no fluctuation from the previous session.

Harness Wire (35% recovery) prices stayed steady as of Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Heater Cores were unchanged on the Index.

Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units also showed no variation in prices.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Extrusions prices were down by CNY 150 per MT from the previous day.

Aluminum Ingots also registered decline by CNY 150 per MT on the Index.

Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers recorded dips by CNY 50 per MT each.

E.C. Aluminum Wire prices fell by CNY 150 per MT on the Index.

Old Cast and Old Sheet prices dropped by CNY 150 per MT each as of May 21, 2026.

UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices likewise saw a dip of CNY 50 per MT ech when compared to the prior day.

Steel Scrap Prices

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

Cast iron scrap prices also showed no change.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS prices edged higher by CNY 50 per MT

• 304 SS Solid saw a jump of CNY 50 per MT

• 304 SS Turning recorded an increase of CNY 50 per MT

• 309 SS jumped higher by CNY 100 per MT

310 SS prices edged higher by CNY 150 per MT as of Thursday, May 21, 2026.

316 SS Solid prices were upby CNY 100 per MT when compared to the previous day.

Shredded stainless steel prices also witnessed a jump of CNY 50 per MT on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

Brass and bronze scrap prices in China showed no variation as of May 21, 2026.

• Brass Radiator prices held steady

• Red Brass followed a flat trend

• Yellow Brass recorded no change

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