Factors That Influence Scrap Metal Prices
Why scrap values change and what affects the quotation you receive.
Customers often ask why scrap prices are not fixed. Scrap is a traded commodity, and several factors combine to determine what a particular load is worth at a particular time.
Metal type
Different metals have different values. Non-ferrous metals such as copper and aluminium typically command higher values per kilogram than ferrous metals.
Grade and purity
Within each metal there are grades. Clean, bare copper wire is generally valued differently from insulated cable or copper with attached fittings.
Contamination
Paint, coatings, plastic, rubber, oil and attached non-metal parts reduce the recoverable metal content and add processing work.
Quantity and form
Larger, consistent quantities and material in a convenient form can be easier to handle.
Market conditions
Scrap values move with wider commodity markets, demand from processors and logistics costs. This is why quotations reflect conditions at the time.
Handling and logistics
Location, access and any required collection arrangements can also be part of the discussion.
The practical takeaway
Sorting your material, keeping it clean and describing it accurately are the best ways to get a clear quotation. For an up-to-date quotation on your specific material, contact a scrap trader directly.
