Weak Futures Dragged Down Stainless Steel Scrap, Cost Advantages Underpinned the Market [SMM Stainless Steel Scrap Market Weekly Review]

Published: May 15, 2026 15:26

Save

[SMM Stainless Steel Scrap Market Weekly Review] Weak Futures Dragged Down Stainless Steel Scrap, Cost Advantages Underpinned the Market This week, prices of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China pulled back, with the quotation range at 10,600-10,700 yuan/mt; prices of the same-spec stainless steel scrap off-cuts in Foshan held steady, with the price range at 10,400-10,700 yuan/mt. From a raw material production cost perspective, the cost of producing stainless steel entirely from stainless steel scrap was approximately 14,821.71 yuan/mt, while the cost of production entirely using high-grade NPI reached 15,173.94 yuan/mt. Stainless steel scrap prices declined and pulled back this week. SS futures were generally in the doldrums, with futures continuously under pressure, which in turn transmitted to the spot market, driving spot stainless steel finished product prices to pull back in tandem. The alternative raw material high-grade NPI also declined simultaneously, but its own raw material fundamentals remained relatively firm, limiting the price drop. As stainless steel spot prices trended downward, steel mills still retained certain smelting profits, production willingness stayed high, and steel mill production schedules showed no reduction. Meanwhile, with the limited decline in high-grade NPI, the cost advantages of stainless steel scrap relative to high-grade NPI became more prominent during the week. Even though industry tax invoice issues persisted, they did not affect steel mills' procurement pace, and procurement demand for stainless steel scrap with better cost advantages remained solid. Overall, the stainless steel scrap market this week exhibited a pullback pattern characterized by "weak futures, resilient raw materials, and demand underpinning." Bearish futures dominated the short-term trend, but rigid demand and cost price spread advantages formed strong support. Tax invoices...

This week, prices of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China pulled back, with a quotation range of 10,600-10,700 yuan/mt; prices of the same-specification stainless steel scrap off-cuts in Foshan remained stable, with a price range of 10,400-10,700 yuan/mt. From a raw material cost analysis perspective, the current cost of producing stainless steel entirely from stainless steel scrap was approximately 14,821.71 yuan/mt, while the production cost using entirely high-grade NPI reached 15,173.94 yuan/mt.

Stainless steel scrap prices declined and pulled back this week. SS futures were overall in the doldrums, with futures continuously under pressure, which in turn transmitted to the spot market, driving spot stainless steel finished product prices to pull back in tandem. The alternative raw material high-grade NPI also declined simultaneously, but its own raw material fundamentals remained relatively firm, with limited price declines. During the current downward movement in stainless steel spot prices, steel mills still maintained certain smelting profits, production willingness stayed high, and steel mill production schedules showed no reduction. Meanwhile, with limited declines in high-grade NPI, the cost-effectiveness advantage of stainless steel scrap over high-grade NPI became more pronounced during the week. Even though industry tax invoice issues persisted, they did not affect steel mills' procurement pace, and purchasing demand for stainless steel scrap with better cost-effectiveness remained robust. Overall, the stainless steel scrap market this week exhibited a pullback pattern characterized by "weak futures, resilient raw materials, and demand underpinning." Bearish futures dominated the short-term trend, but rigid demand and cost price spread advantages formed strong support. Although tax invoice issues persisted, they did not amplify downward pressure. Stainless steel scrap prices were expected to remain relatively firm in the near term, with limited downside room.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

4 hours ago

[SMM Hot Topic] Rebar Base Price "Exists in Name Only," Pricing System Has Completely Changed

SMM has been deeply engaged in the metal industry for decades, consistently upholding the principles of objectivity, neutrality, pragmatism, and rigor. By adhering to actual market transactions as the core pricing benchmark and leveraging its well-established price assessment methodology and comprehensive data system, SMM continues to deliver standardized market benchmarks for participants across the industry chain. This provides solid support for industry pricing standards, transaction settlements, and business decision-making, serving as a long-term partner in the steady development of the metal industry.

4 hours ago

5.15 SMM Global Steel Daily Report

[Turkey] Recently, Turkish long steel giant Kardemir launched a new round of billet sales. By slightly lowering its list prices, the company rapidly attracted a large volume of domestic orders and subsequently closed the sale. The company offered S235JR grade billets at 530 USD/tonne (EXW), a decrease of 5 USD/tonne from the previous round, while B420 grade billets were priced at 540 USD/tonne (EXW), down by 10 USD/tonne.

4 hours ago

Ferrous Metals Maintain Fluctuating Trend in the Short Term [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]

This week, ferrous metals rose and then pulled back, moving sideways overall, with coking coal and coke experiencing a more notable pullback. In the first half of the week, market rumors suggested that a thermal coal supply assurance meeting would be held on Friday, which, combined with the sharp pullback on the raw material side driven by industrial capital fleeing, led to an overall pullback in ferrous metals. In the second half of the week, Trump's visit to China and trade negotiations proceeded simultaneously, but futures had already priced this in earlier, with no significant fluctuations. When the five major steel product data were released, supply showed some divergence, demand generally increased, and inventory destocking was strong. Spot market side, spot prices were held relatively firm, market transactions were mostly at low prices, and when the spot-futures price spread widened, basis traders were seen making shipments...

4 hours ago