By Chinese Scrap Prices Mixed as Copper Falls and Aluminum Moves Higher
Copper scrap prices declined across several Chinese grades on August 27, while selected aluminum grades gained CNY 50 per metric ton. Brass/bronze and 310 stainless steel moved lower, while steel scrap remained unchanged.
By Anil Mathews
Published August 28, 2026
Key Points
- #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing each fell CNY 300 per MT.
- 6063 Aluminum Extrusions, Aluminum Ingots, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each gained CNY 50 per MT.
- 310 SS declined CNY 50 per MT, while the other listed stainless steel grades were unchanged.
- Red Brass and Yellow Brass each fell CNY 50 per MT.
- #1 HMS and Cast Iron Scrap remained unchanged.
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Chinese scrap metal prices posted a mixed trend on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Thursday, August 27, 2026. Copper scrap slipped slightly, aluminum scrap moved higher across selected categories, brass/bronze and stainless steel dipped, while steel scrap remained unchanged.
Copper Scrap Prices Decline Across Select Grades
Copper scrap prices on the ScrapMonster China Copper Scrap Price Index recorded a slight decline across select grades.
- #1 Copper Bare Bright, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing fell CNY 300 per MT.
- #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery declined CNY 150 per MT.
- #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery and Cu/Al Radiators dropped CNY 50 per MT.
- Heater Cores declined CNY 100 per MT.
- Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units recorded no change.
Aluminum Scrap Posts Broad Gains
Aluminum scrap prices on the ScrapMonster China Aluminum Scrap Price Index moved higher across various categories.
- 6063 Aluminum Extrusions and Aluminum Ingots increased CNY 50 per metric ton each.
- Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers held steady on the Index.
- E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and Old Sheet each gained CNY 50 per metric ton.
- Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF recorded no change from the previous day's prices.
Steel Holds Flat as 310 Stainless Steel Slips
Steel Scrap: #1 HMS prices held steady on the Index, while Cast Iron Scrap also recorded no change.
Stainless Steel Scrap: 201 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, Shred SS, 309 SS and 316 SS Solid recorded no variation from the previous day's prices.
310 SS was the exception, declining CNY 50 per MT.
Red Brass and Yellow Brass Decline
Brass/bronze scrap prices in China recorded a decline on the ScrapMonster China Brass/Bronze Price Index.
- Brass Radiator held steady.
- Red Brass and Yellow Brass each declined CNY 50 per MT.
