Chinese Scrap Prices Move Higher Across Key Categories on the Index – January 5, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded robust upward momentum on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Monday, January 5, 2026.

• Copper: Across-the-board jump
• Aluminum: Uniform upward momentum
• Brass/Bronze: Edged higher 
• Stainless Steel: Widespread increase
• Steel: Flat trend

Copper, Aluminum, Brass/Bronze and Stainless Steel scrap prices recorded increase over the previous day. In contrast 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 3,400 per MT and CNY 2,400 per MT respectively over the previous day.

The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged higher by CNY 2,400 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were up by CNY 1,200 per MT. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a jump of CNY 500 per MT over the previous day.

Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices edged higher by CNY 100 per MT each on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator prices were up by CNY 500 per MT upon comparison with the prior day.

Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices inched up by CNY 150 per MT as of Monday, January 5, 2026.

Heater Cores prices were up by CNY 1,000 per MT on the Index.

Also, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices increased marginally by CNY 100 per MT each on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 650 per MT in prices over the previous day.

Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 650 per MT.

The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 300 per MT each on the Index.

E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched higher by CNY 650 per MT on the Index.

Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 650 per MT as of January 5, 2026.

UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices increased by CNY 300 per MT each from the previous day’s price.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of January 5, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS: Increased by CNY 50 per MT
• 304 SS Solid: Up by CNY 100 per MT
• 304 SS Turning: Jumped by CNY 100 per MT
• 309 SS: Edged higher by CNY 150 per MT

310 SS prices recorded a jump of CNY 200 per MT as of Monday, January 5, 2026.

316 SS Solid prices were up by CNY 150 per MT over the previous day’s prices.

Shred SS prices reported an increase of CNY 100 per MT on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded modest jump as of January 5, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 350 per MT
• Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 500 per MT
• Yellow Brass: Up by CNY 500 per MT

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