Chinese Scrap Metals See Minor Price Drop on the Index – January 20, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-01-21 10:55:07
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 movements on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
- Copper: Marginal declines
- Aluminum: Uniform downward momentum
- Brass/Bronze: Held steady
- Stainless Steel: Marginal decline
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper, Aluminum and Stainless Steel scrap prices recorded decline over the previous day. In the meantime, 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 dip in prices of CNY 50 per MT 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 unchanged over the day. 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 on the Index.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were flat as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Heater Cores prices were flat on the Index.
In the meantime, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices recorded no variation on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a dip of CNY 100 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also declined by CNY 100 per MT.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were down by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched lower by CNY 100 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were down by CNY 100 per MT as of January 20, 2026.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices dropped by CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day’s price.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of January 20, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Held stable
- 304 SS Solid: Witnessed no change
- 304 SS Turning: Flat trend
- 309 SS: Recorded a decline of CNY 100 per MT
310 SS prices recorded a decline of CNY 150 per MT as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
316 SS Solid prices were down modestly by CNY 100 per MT over the previous day’s prices.
Shred SS prices reported no variation on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded no change as of January 20, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Flat trend
- Red Brass: Held steady
- Yellow Brass: No daily fluctuation in prices
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Which scrap metals in China declined on January 20, 2026?
Copper, aluminum, and stainless steel recorded price declines across several grades, while steel and brass/bronze remained stable.
- How much did aluminum scrap prices drop?
Aluminum Ingots and 6063 Extrusions fell CNY 100 per MT, while Aluminum Radiators, Transformers, UBC, and Zorba 90% NF declined CNY 50–100 per MT.
- Did brass/bronze prices change?
No, all major brass/bronze categories, including Brass Radiators, Red Brass, and Yellow Brass, remained unchanged.
