Aluminum Prices Slipped! SUNSHINE Weekly Scrap Prices Tracker: May 5-9, 2025

This week (May 5 to 9, 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 5 to 9, 2025), scrap copper prices in China maintained a steady upward trend, with daily price increases not exceeding 0.15%, and the overall price increase ranged from 0.14% to 0.28%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: April 30), there was an upward trend, with price increases ranging from 0.40% to 0.56%. 

This week, Copper (Cu ≈ 98%) and Bright Copper Wire saw the largest price increases, both at 0.28%, followed by Domestic Recycled Brass, which rose by 0.23%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: April 30), Copper (Cu ≈ 98%) had the largest increase, rising from 70,900 CNY/MT (April 30) to 71,300 CNY/MT (May 9), an increase of 0.56%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Copper (Cu ≈ 98%) and Bright Copper Wire this week: 

China - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in China generally showed a slight downward trend, stabilizing after the decline, with price drops ranging from 0.65% to 1.51%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: April 30), the decline was more pronounced, ranging from 1.61% to 2.68%. 

This week, Iron Free Mechanical Aluminum saw the largest decline, dropping from 16,600 CNY/MT (May 6) to 16,350 CNY/MT (May 9), a decrease of 1.51%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: April 30), Iron Free Mechanical Aluminum had the largest decline, followed by Raw Aluminum, which fell from 16,400 CNY/MT (April 30) to 15,975 CNY/MT (May 9), a decrease of 2.59%. 

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

India - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap copper prices in India showed mixed changes. Except for Brass Sheet Cutting and Brass Utensils, which experienced slight decreases, other copper scrap prices increased slightly, with price increases ranging from 0.02% to 0.91%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), price fluctuations were mixed, ranging from -1.27% to 1.85%. 

This week, No.2 Copper saw the largest increase, rising from 546.5 INR/kg (May 5) to 551.5 INR/kg (May 9), an increase of 0.91%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), Brass Utensils experienced the largest decrease, falling from 550 INR/kg (May 2) to 543 INR/kg (May 9), a decrease of 1.27%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for No.2 Copper and Brass Utensils this week: 

India - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in India, except for Aluminium Accessories Scrap, which remained stable, saw slight declines, with price drops ranging from 0.11% to 1.29%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), Aluminium Accessories Scrap rose by 0.52%, while other scrap materials saw price declines ranging from 0.11% to 1.29%. 

This week, Aluminium Wire Scrap saw the largest decrease, dropping from 232 INR/kg (May 5) to 229 INR/kg (May 9), a decline of 1.29%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), Aluminium Accessories Scrap increased slightly, from 194 INR/kg (May 2) to 195 INR/kg (May 9), an increase of 0.52%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Aluminium Wire Scrap and Aluminium Accessories Scrap this week: 

United Kingdom - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap copper prices in the UK remained stable with no significant fluctuations. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), prices remained unchanged. 

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

United States - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap copper prices in the US experienced a decline, while Brass prices remained stable. Other copper scrap prices decreased by 0.28% to 0.64%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), prices remained stable with no changes. 

This week, Copper No.2 saw the largest decrease, falling from 3.12 USD/Lb (May 5) to 3.10 USD/Lb (May 9), a decrease of 0.02 USD/Lb, or approximately 0.64%. 

Next, Sheet Copper decreased from 2.91 USD/Lb (May 5) to 2.90 USD/Lb (May 9), a decrease of 0.01 USD/Lb, or approximately 0.34%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Copper No.2 and Sheet Copper this week: 

United States - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 5 to 9, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in the US fluctuated but ultimately stabilized. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 2), prices remained unchanged. 

This week, Aluminum Wire prices exhibited significant fluctuation, with the highest daily increase reaching 3.33%. AL Extrusion followed, with the highest daily increase reaching 2.44%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Aluminum Wire and AL Extrusion this week: