Stainless Steel Scrap Remains Economically Disadvantaged, Prices Hold Steady Awaiting Peak Season [SMM Weekly Stainless Steel Scrap Market Review]

Published: Aug 29, 2025 17:01

Save

This week, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China first stabilized and then dropped slightly to 9,700-9,800 yuan/mt, while in Foshan, the price rose slightly to 9,450-9,750 yuan/mt. Currently, the production cost of stainless steel using 100% stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,535.53 yuan/mt, while the cost using 100% high-grade NPI is around 13,486.8 yuan/mt. A steel mill in south China did not adjust its tender price for stainless steel scrap procurement this week.

This week, driven by macro tailwinds, SS futures halted their decline and strengthened, lifting stainless steel finished product prices in tandem. The price of high-grade NPI climbed as steel mills raised tender prices amid expectations of increased stainless steel planned production in September. Although the price of high-grade NPI continued to rise, narrowing the economic disadvantage of stainless steel scrap, the latter remained less competitive. Throughout the week, downstream steel mills adopted a cautious approach to procuring stainless steel scrap, preventing its price from rising alongside other raw materials. Instead, prices remained stable overall, even pulling back slightly. However, as the September-October peak season approaches, anticipated increases in stainless steel production schedules may boost demand for stainless steel scrap, potentially curbing further price declines.

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

May 26, 2026 09:18

[SMM Stainless Steel Market Flash] TECO to Buy 78% of Malaysia’s Dynaciate for $50.8 Million

TECO Electric & Machinery has signed an agreement to invest about MYR 200 million, or roughly $50.8 million, to acquire about 78% of Malaysian engineering company Dynaciate Engineering. TECO said Dynaciate will become its global manufacturing hub for modular data center and power equipment products, while also serving as an engineering hub for its expansion in Southeast Asia’s data center infrastructure market.

May 26, 2026 09:18

May 25, 2026 18:26

[SMM Stainless Steel Market Flash] Report Says New Stainless Steel Can Operate in Seawater at up to 1700 mV

SS-H2 can operate in seawater at voltages of up to 1700 mV, well above the stable operating range of regular stainless steel. The report said this improved performance could help address corrosion and durability issues in seawater electrolysis systems, suggesting expanding potential for advanced stainless steel in hydrogen equipment applications.

May 25, 2026 18:26

May 25, 2026 18:25

[SMM Stainless Steel Market Flash] HKU Develops SS-H2 Stainless Steel for Lower-Cost Seawater Hydrogen Systems

A research team at the University of Hong Kong has developed a new stainless steel called SS-H2 for seawater-based hydrogen production systems. The reports said the material is designed to maintain stronger corrosion resistance under harsh, high-voltage operating conditions and could potentially replace more expensive titanium components now used in electrolyzers. The development is seen as a possible new materials route for lowering the cost of green hydrogen equipment.

May 25, 2026 18:25