- Stainless steel scrap prices strengthened slightly across the globe during Q2 2026, supported by firmer alloy costs and improved mill procurement.
- Higher nickel and NPI costs improved scrap-route economics, encouraging stainless steel mills to increase scrap purchases despite intermittent market corrections.
- Downstream stainless steel demand softened later in the quarter, but mill restocking and cost support helped prices recover during June.
Stainless steel scrap prices in China were 1,515 USD/MT (FOB) in May'26 and edged up to roughly 1,540 USD/MT in June'26, a modest 1.7% gain. In China, higher nickel-ore expectations, firmer stainless steel futures and favorable scrap-based production economics encouraged mills to increase procurement early in the quarter. Market conditions weakened later in May as the traditional stainless steel off-season approached, finished-steel demand softened and buyers became more cautious. A moderate recovery followed in June as mills returned to the scrap market and raw-material costs remained supportive. Indian prices strengthened on firmer regional alloy costs and continued demand for nickel-bearing stainless scrap. In Germany, the prices were around 1,608 USD/MT (CIF) in May'26 before strengthening to approx. 1,662 USD/MT in the last month of the quarter, a 3.3% rise. Germany recorded the increase as elevated alloy and energy costs supported replacement values, although softer service-center buying restrained larger gains.