Copper Prices Up! SUNSHINE Weekly Scrap Prices Tracker: March 17-21, 2025

This week (March 17 to March 21, 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 (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap copper prices in China generally showed an upward trend, with price increases ranging from 1.08% to 1.56% across various scrap types. The overall performance was a continuous and stable increase, with copper scrap prices maintaining a three-week upward streak as of this week. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), the price changes align with the current week. 

This week, Motor Copper saw the largest increase, rising from 70,450 CNY/MT (March 17) to 71,550 CNY/MT (March 21), marking an increase of 1.56%. Motor Copper has now experienced two consecutive weeks of growth with the largest price increase. 

Following this, Fire Line prices increased from 70,950 CNY/MT (March 17) to 72,050 CNY/MT (March 21), with a price increase of 1.55%. 

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

China - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in China experienced slight fluctuations, with a general decline in prices. The largest drop was 0.31%, and some scrap prices remained unchanged. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), the decline was more significant, ranging from 0% to 0.73%. 

The greatest decline this week was in Profile Raw Material, which dropped from 16,075 CNY/MT (March 17) to 16,025 CNY/MT (March 21), a decrease of 0.31%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), Raw Aluminum saw the largest drop, falling from 17,175 CNY/MT (March 14) to 17,050 CNY/MT (March 21), a decrease of 0.73%. 

The following chart shows the price trends for Profile Raw Material and Raw Aluminum this week: 

India - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap copper prices in India generally showed an upward trend, with notable price increases. Except for Brass, which remained unchanged, other scrap prices rose by 0.73% to 1.98%. As of this week, copper scrap has maintained a three-week upward streak. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), some scrap types saw similar changes, while others experienced larger price hikes. 

This week, Copper Wire Scrap saw the largest increase, rising from 808 INR/kg (March 17) to 824 INR/kg (March 21), an increase of 1.98%. Brass Hunny Scrap dropped sharply to 557 INR/kg on March 20, then rebounded to 595 INR/kg on March 21, with a weekly increase of 1.71%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), Brass Utensil saw the largest increase, while Copper Heavy, Copper Utensil, Copper Cable Scrap, and Brass all experienced larger price increases than those observed this week. 

The following chart shows the price trends for Copper Wire Scrap and Brass Hunny Scrap this week: 

India - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in India remained relatively stable, with small declines or no change in most scrap prices. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), No.1 Aluminum and No.2 Aluminum experienced larger price increases, while other scrap prices remained unchanged. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), No.1 Aluminum saw a significant increase, rising from 166.25 INR/kg (March 14) to 172.8 INR/kg (March 21), an increase of 3.94%. 

Next, No.2 Aluminum slightly increased from 166.24 INR/kg (March 14) to 168.14 INR/kg (March 21), an increase of 1.14%.

The following chart shows the price trends for No.1 Aluminum and No.2 Aluminum this week: 

United Kingdom - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap copper prices in the United Kingdom showed a slight upward trend, rising on March 18 and remaining steady until March 21. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), the price changes were consistent with this week. 

This week, Brass saw the largest increase, rising from 3.3 GBP/kg (March 17) to 3.35 GBP/kg (March 21), an increase of 1.52%. 

Next, Braziery/Copper Cylinders rose from 4.7 GBP/kg (March 17) to 4.75 GBP/kg (March 21), an increase of 1.06%. 

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

United States - Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap copper prices in the United States showed a slight upward trend, with price increases ranging from 0.27% to 0.48%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), the increase was more significant, ranging from 1.67% to 2.93%. 

This week, Copper No.1 saw the largest increase, rising from 4.2 USD/Lb (March 17) to 4.22 USD/Lb (March 21), an increase of 0.48%. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), Copper No.1 had the largest price increase, up by 2.93%. Brass followed, increasing from 2.25 USD/Lb (March 14) to 2.31 USD/Lb (March 21), a rise of 2.67%. 

The following chart shows the price trends for Copper No.1 and Brass this week: 

United States - Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (March 17 to March 21, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in the United States showed some fluctuations, with an overall upward trend, with price increases ranging from 0.54% to 3.33%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), a larger increase was observed. 

This week, AL Sheet and Cast Alum both saw a 2.67% price increase, maintaining last week's upward trend, marking three consecutive weeks of growth. 

Compared to the previous week (reference date: March 14), AL Sheet saw the largest increase, rising by 26.23%. AL Extrusion and Aluminum Wire, after a sharp decline last week, rebounded with increases of 24.29% and 12.73%, respectively. AL Extrusion has shown an increase compared to the beginning of last week, while Aluminum Wire is still in decline. 

The following chart shows the price trends for AL Sheet and AL Extrusion this week: