Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Climb on the Index, Steel Remains Flat – December 17, 2025
Scrap Prices | 2025-12-18 03:46:18
316 SS Solid prices were up by CNY 50 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices recorded strong upward trend on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
- Copper: Notable gains
- Aluminum: Uniform upward momentum
- Brass/Bronze: Overall increase
- Stainless Steel: Marginal jump
- Steel: Flat trend
Copper, Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Brass/Bronze 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 900 per MT over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged higher by CNY 900 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were up by CNY 450 per MT. The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a jump of CNY 150 per MT over the previous day.
Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices edged higher by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiator prices went higher by CNY 150 per MT.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices increased by CNY 50 per MT as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Heater Cores prices were up by CNY 350 per MT.
Also, Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices jumped higher by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Extrusions witnessed a jump of CNY 100 per MT in prices over the previous day.
Aluminum Ingots prices also increased by CNY 100 per MT.
The prices of Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Transformers were up by CNY 50 per MT on the Index.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices inched higher by CNY 100 per MT on the Index.
Old Cast and Old Sheet prices were up by CNY 100 per MT as of December 17, 2025.
UBC and Zorba 90% INF prices edged higher by CNY 50 per MT each from the previous day’s price.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of December 17, 2025.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: No change
- 304 SS Solid: Flat trend
- 304 SS Turning: Held steady
- 309 SS: Up by CNY 50 per MT
310 SS prices edged higher by CNY 100 per MT as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
316 SS Solid prices were up by CNY 50 per MT.
Shred SS prices reported no variation on the Index.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded an increase as of December 17, 2025.
- Brass Radiator: Increased by CNY 100 per MT
- Red Brass: Edged higher by CNY 150 per MT
- Yellow Brass: Climbed by CNY 150 per MT
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Which scrap metals drove the price increases in China on December 17, 2025?
Copper led the rally with sharp gains across major grades, supported by broad increases in aluminum and brass/bronze scrap prices.
- How did steel scrap prices perform compared with nonferrous metals?
Steel scrap prices remained flat on the ScrapMonster Index, underperforming nonferrous metals, which recorded strong upward momentum.
- What does the overall trend suggest for the Chinese scrap market?
The Index indicates strengthening demand and pricing power in nonferrous scrap, while ferrous markets showed stability rather than growth.
