Chinese Scrap Prices Slide Across Major Metal Categories on the Index – August 19, 2026

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a marked decline on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

• Copper: Continued to show strong downward pressure

• Aluminum: Recorded widespread declines across all categories

• Brass/Bronze: Showed a weakening trend

• Stainless Steel: Remained stable

• Steel: Held steady with no change

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index declined across multiple categories on the Index, compared with the previous day.

• #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing: down by CNY 1,000 per MT each
• #1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% Recovery): fell by CNY 500 per MT
• #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% Recovery): dropped by CNY 150 per MT
• Copper Transformer Scrap: Recorded no variation
• Cu Yokes, Harness Wire (35% Recovery), Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units: saw declines of CNY 50 per MT on the Index
• Cu/Al Radiators: declined by CNY 150 per MT
• Heater Cores: decreased by CNY 400 per MT

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index moved lower across all categories on the Index.

·         6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots: fell by CNY 250 per metric ton each

·         Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers: declined by CNY 100 per MT each on the Index

·         E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast, and Old Sheet: recorded a drop of CNY 250 per metric ton

·         Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF: posted a dip of CNY 100 per MT each in prices

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 HMS prices held steady on the Index.

Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel scrap prices on the ScrapMonster Price Index registered no change across key grades.

• 201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS: witnessed no change in prices

• 310 SS, 316 SS Solid, Shredded Stainless Steel: held steady on the Index

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded a decline over the previous day.

• Brass Radiator: Dipped by CNY 100 per MT

• Red Brass, Yellow Brass: Down by CNY 150 per MT each

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