Average Buying Prices For Copper Scrap In The United States

This table presents the average buying prices for various grades of copper scrap in the United States, expressed in cents per pound. It covers prices paid by brass mills, refiners, and dealers for different types of scrap, including no. 1 scrap, no. 2 scrap, no. 2 scrap dealers’ scrap, and red brass turnings and borings. This information is crucial for understanding market trends in the copper recycling industry, which plays a significant role in resource conservation, cost reduction for manufacturers, and the overall supply chain of copper products. Tracking these prices helps stakeholders assess economic conditions, plan procurement strategies, and evaluate the competitiveness of recycled copper compared to primary copper sources.

Between 2020 and 2021, the data reveals a substantial increase in copper scrap prices across all categories. For instance, the average price paid by brass mills for no. 1 scrap rose sharply from 268.76 cents per pound in 2020 to 408.14 cents per pound in 2021, marking an increase of over 51%. Similarly, refiners’ prices for no. 2 scrap jumped from 243.47 to 369.04 cents per pound, while dealers’ prices for no. 2 scrap and red brass turnings and borings increased from 201.72 to 314.79 cents and from 130.67 to 212.63 cents per pound, respectively. These notable price surges reflect heightened demand for recycled copper amid supply chain disruptions and increased raw material costs, underscoring the growing economic importance of copper scrap in the U.S. metals market.