How Do We Assess Present Scrap Metal Market

Whether you are a small-scale scrapper or a large scrapper yard or refinery, prices of scrap metals are always very important. When scrap prices are in downward trend for a long period, recycling rates decrease with the trend and scrap metal firms struggle to make profit. So how to judge the present scrap metal market？

Present Scrap Metal Price Is Stable

Herein, I pay more attention to copper and aluminum scrap. As I observe, the price of copper and aluminum scrap is stable and with a little increase(as shown in the following table).

Scrap Kinds	Price	Change	Change%	Unit
Al/Cu Radiators	1.01	0.01↑	1%	$US/Lb
Al/Cu Radiators/Fe	0.87	0.01↑	1.16%	$US/Lb
Aluminum Radiators	0.44	0.01↑	2.33%	$US/Lb
E.C. Aluminum Wire	0.70	0.02↑	2.94%	$US/Lb
#1 Copper Bare Bright	2.15	0.05↑	2.38%	$US/Lb
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery	1.59	0.03↑	1.92%	$US/Lb
#2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery	0.78	0.02↑	2.63%	$US / Lb
Copper Radiators	1.35	0.02↑	1.5%	$US / Lb
Cu/Al Radiators /Fe	0.87	0.01↑	1.16%	$US / Lb

Table.1 Parts of Copper and Aluminum price    Sourcing: Scrapmonster

Which Factors Influence Scrap Price

Keeping an eye on the scrap prices certainly can help you, but knowing what determines the current prices is also important because you can better assess the change in prices at your scrap yard. There are several factors affecting the prices of scrap metal commodities through the US and international scenes, that is, market Price, industry demand, quantity, location, time of year and international trading.

Although we ca see market price on LME or other site, it is not an expected price that a customer of a scrap yard would receive. Market prices are determined for commodities at the end of their life cycle.

Different industries such as construction, electronics and package directly affect the commodities market and scrap. If the electronics industry is slow, the demand for copper will go down and usually affect the price of the materials.

Quantity can influence the price to some extent. If a scrap yard hauls and ships more copper scrap than another location, their prices usually will be higher because they need more to keep its operation.

Also along with quantity, the location of the scrap yard has to do with the current prices..Those which is closer to ports will generally be able to pay more money tor materials because of less travel cost.

Just like the markets with the holidays, different times of the year and weather can greatly affect the output of new product. In turn, it will affect the demand and scrap price.

On a global scale, international trade is a large factor influencing scrap prices. Countries like China and India who have a large amounts of imports of scrap metal can affect the scrap prices globally.

Give An Objective Assessment by Yourself

Since we know the present market and the factors affecting scrap price, we can better assess the trend and what to do for future. Now it is a relatively good period for metal scrap market for its trend is up. How can we win a step? If you have adequate capital or ambition, you can buy some machine like copper cable granulator, radiator recycling machine, wire stripping machine,etc., which is good for improving efficiency and decreasing labor cost. With quality machine, accurate analysis and perfect recycling system, you can do better!