Stainless Steel Scrap Supply Eases Shortage, Prices Pull Back Due to Economic Disadvantages [SMM Analysis]

This week, 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts prices in east China first rose then fell, generally holding steady at 10,200-10,300 yuan/mt; 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts prices in Foshan pulled back to 9,900-10,200 yuan/mt. Currently, by raw material, the production cost of producing stainless steel entirely from stainless steel scrap is about 14,127.63 yuan/mt, while the production cost of producing stainless steel entirely from high-grade NPI is about 13,938.37 yuan/mt. This week, a steel mill in south China did not update its purchasing price for stainless steel scrap. Stainless steel futures continued to decline, and with the trading volume in the finished stainless steel market already relatively weak, spot prices also pulled back. The stainless steel scrap market, due to an increase in circulating supply during the week, saw the previous tight supply situation ease, leading to a synchronized pressure on prices to pull back. The NPI market maintained a fluctuating upward trend, with the sentiment to stand firm on quotes remaining strong. Although stainless steel scrap has experienced a price correction, it still lacks economic advantages compared to NPI. Under the dual pressures of weakening substitution effects of raw materials and rising market supply, stainless steel scrap has ended its previous upward trend and entered an adjustment phase. Considering that stainless steel production remains high and NPI prices are strongly supported, the downward movement of stainless steel scrap prices is expected to be significantly constrained.