Chinese Scrap Prices See Mixed Movements on the Index – March 17, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded mixed trend on ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

• Copper: Slight dip in prices
• Aluminum: Mostly recorded decline
• Brass/Bronze: Flat trend
• Stainless Steel: Notable jump
• Steel: Held steady

Copper Scrap Prices

The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a decline in prices of CNY 250 per MT each over the previous day.

The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 250 per MT.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 100 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 were unchanged on the Index.

Cu/Al Radiator and Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices held steady as of Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Heater Cores prices recorded a slight decline of CNY 50 per MT upon comparison with the prior day’s prices.

Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices also held steady on the Index.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Prices for 6063 aluminum extrusions declined by CNY 50 per metric ton compared to the previous day. A similar reduction of CNY 50 per metric ton was observed in aluminum ingot prices.

On the other hand, aluminum radiator and aluminum transformer prices remained unchanged on the Index. E.C. aluminum wire also saw a decrease of CNY 50 per metric ton as of March 17, 2026.

In the scrap segment, both old cast aluminum and old sheet aluminum prices dropped by CNY 50 per metric ton on the assessment date. Meanwhile, prices for used beverage cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades showed no movement, holding steady at their earlier levels.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady as of March 17, 2026.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

• 201 SS: Witnessed no variation
• 304 SS Solid: Up by CNY 50 per MT
• 304 SS Turning: Recorded a jump of CNY 50 per MT
• 309 SS: Saw an increase of CNY 100 per MT

The price of 310 SS witnessed a jump of CNY 150 per MT on a daily basis.

316 SS Solid prices edged higher by CNY 100 per MT.

Also, Shred SS scrap prices were up by CNY 50 per MT as of Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China reported no change as of March 17, 2026.

• Brass Radiator: Held steady
• Red Brass: Flat trend
• Yellow Brass: Recorded no variation

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