Aluminum Prices Climbed! SUNSHINE Weekly Scrap Prices Tracker: May 12-16, 2025

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap metal prices exhibited some fluctuations across different markets. Based on the price data from SUNSHINE for scrap metals in China, India, United Kingdom, and United States, the following is a report on the prices of Copper Scrap and Aluminum Scrap in the four countries. 

China - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap copper prices in China showed a slight increase with minor fluctuations. Prices slightly retreated on May 15. Overall, the weekly increase ranged between 0.20% and 0.44%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), the extent of change remained consistent. 

Motor Copper had the largest increase, rising from 68,100 CNY/MT (May 12) to 68,400 CNY/MT (May 16), an increase of 300 CNY/MT or 0.44%. 

Next was Fire Line, which increased from 70,900 CNY/MT (May 9) to 71,200 CNY/MT (May 16), up 300 CNY/MT or 0.42%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Motor Copper and Fire Line this week: 

China - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in China rose continuously before retreating slightly, showing an overall upward trend. The weekly increase ranged from 1.72% to 2.93%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), the increase was more significant, ranging from 2.60% to 3.98%. 

Packing Cans recorded the highest increase this week, rising from 15,350 CNY/MT (May 12NY/MT (May 12) to 15,800 CNY/MT (May 16), an increase of 450 CNY/MT or 2.93%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), Iron Free Mechanical Aluminum showed the largest increase, from 16,350 CNY/MT (May 9) to 17,000 CNY/MT (May 16), up 650 CNY/MT or 3.98%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Packing Cans and Iron Free Mechanical Aluminum this week: 

India - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap copper prices in India generally increased, though trends varied across different types. Copper Wire Scrap showed no net change despite fluctuations during the week, while other copper scrap types saw increases ranging from 0.22% to 1.08%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), Copper Wire Scrap saw a slight decline of 0.25%, and other types rose between 0.12% and 1.30%. 

Copper Utensil had the largest increase this week, rising from 743 INR/kg (May 12) to 751 INR/kg (May 16), an increase of 8 INR/kg or 1.08%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), Brass saw the highest increase, from 464.2 INR/kg (May 9) to 470.25 INR/kg (May 16), an increase of 6.05 INR/kg or 1.30%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Copper Utensil and Brass this week: 

India - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in India rose across the board except for No.1 Aluminum, which remained stable. The weekly increases ranged from 0.51% to 1.74%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), No.1 Aluminum remained stable, while the other scrap types showed larger increases between 0.51% and 2.18%. 

Aluminium Wire Scrap had the largest increase this week, from 230 INR/kg (May 12) to 234 INR/kg (May 16), up 4 INR/kg or 1.74%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), No.2 Aluminum saw the largest increase, from 174.2 INR/kg (May 9) to 178 INR/kg (May 16), an increase of 3.8 INR/kg or 2.18%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Aluminium Wire Scrap and No.2 Aluminum this week: 

United Kingdom - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap copper prices in the UK saw significant increases. After rising on May 13, prices remained stable for the rest of the week. The increase ranged from 4.46% to 6.67%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), the changes were consistent with this week. 

Brass showed the largest increase, from 3.00 GBP/kg (May 12) to 3.20 GBP/kg (May 16), an increase of 0.20 GBP/kg or 6.67%. 

This was followed by Braziery/Copper Cylinders, which rose from 4.25 GBP/kg (May 12) to 4.50 GBP/kg (May 16), up 0.25 GBP/kg or 5.88%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Brass and Braziery/Copper Cylinders this week: 

United States - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap copper prices in the US slightly declined overall. Brass prices remained stable, while other types saw decreases ranging from 0.32% to 0.55%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), all copper scrap prices remained stable. 

Copper No.1 experienced the largest decline this week, falling from 3.62 USD/Lb (May 12) to 3.60 USD/Lb (May 16), a decrease of 0.02 USD/Lb, or approximately 0.55%. 

Next, Sheet Copper decreased from 2.91 USD/Lb (May 12) to 2.90 USD/Lb (May 16), a decrease of 0.01 USD/Lb, or approximately 0.34%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Copper No.1 and Sheet Copper this week: 

United States - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 12 to 16, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in the US remained stable overall, with some fluctuations during the week. Prices increased on May 14 but fell back on May 15, resulting in no net change. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 9), all aluminum scrap prices remained stable. 

Aluminum Wire saw the highest daily increase, with a 3.33% rise on May 14, but later fell back to its previous level. 

This was followed by Cast Alum, which rose 1.39% on May 14 before also retreating to its previous level. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Aluminum Wire and Cast Alum this week: