Global Aluminium Scrap Price Trends & Updates– Q2 2026
Aluminium Scrap Prices moved on an uptrend in Q2 2026, with the average across the five supplied countries rising from USD 2,392.6/MT in Q1 to USD 2,576.8/MT in Q2, an increase of approximately 7.7% quarter-on-quarter. The rise reflected higher replacement costs, tighter scrap availability in some regions, and stronger competition for recycled aluminium feedstock. The Aluminium Scrap Prices data also shows a clear gap between regional buying levels. The Aluminium Scrap Price Trend 2026 provides useful context for procurement teams assessing quarterly movements.
According to IMARC Group's Q2 2026 price-tracking database and methodology, prices reached USD 2768/MT in the USA, USD 2478/MT in China, USD 2473/MT in India, USD 2630/MT in Germany, and USD 2535/MT in Brazil. The highest price was recorded in the USA, while India posted the lowest. This spread reflects differences in scrap collection, import dependence, secondary aluminium demand, logistics, and local supply conditions.
Regional Aluminium Scrap Price Snapshot: Q2 2026
- USA: USD 2768/MT — North America
- China: USD 2478/MT — Asia-Pacific
- India: USD 2473/MT — Asia-Pacific
- Germany: USD 2630/MT — Europe
- Brazil: USD 2535/MT — South America
The Q2 spread shows a relatively wide regional cost difference, led by the USA at USD 2768/MT and followed by Germany at USD 2630/MT. Brazil remained in the middle at USD 2535/MT, while China and India recorded lower levels. The difference reflects local scrap generation, recycled aluminium demand, import requirements, collection rates, freight costs, and replacement values.
Aluminium Scrap Price Trend 2026: What's Driving the Shift?
The quarterly movement was supported by firmer replacement costs and competition for secondary aluminium feedstock. In China, the scrap market faced weaker demand in some downstream segments and changing import flows during Q2, while India experienced supply disruption linked to geopolitical events affecting imported scrap.
Aluminium Scrap Prices Analysis Q2 2026: Regional Buying Signals
North America: USA Price and Demand Outlook
The USA recorded USD 2768/MT in Q2 2026 and showed a firm upward direction. Demand from automotive, construction, packaging, and secondary aluminium producers supported buying interest. Higher replacement costs and competition for quality scrap also helped maintain elevated purchasing levels.
Asia-Pacific: China And India Price Outlook
China: The Q2 price reached USD 2478/MT, showing a firm but mixed direction. Scrap availability and import activity remained important, while softer downstream demand limited stronger price gains. China imported around 849,300 MT of aluminium scrap during January-May 2026, slightly below the same period in 2025.
India: India recorded USD 2473/MT, with an upward direction during the quarter. Imported scrap availability became a major issue after Middle East supply disruptions. Reports indicated that the region supplied around 30% of India's aluminium scrap requirements, creating shortages and forcing some secondary producers to reduce operations.
South America: Brazil Price Outlook
Brazil recorded USD 2535/MT and remained above the Asian levels but below the USA and Germany. The price reflected regional demand for recycled aluminium and local supply conditions. Procurement costs can also be influenced by freight, scrap collection, and international aluminium benchmark movements.
Germany: Germany recorded USD 2630/MT in Q2 2026. Although Germany is outside the regional groups specified above, its supplied data is retained for the five-country comparison rather than creating a separate Europe section.
Supply And Demand Overview – Q2 2026
Supply conditions remained an important price driver during Q2. Aluminium scrap availability depends heavily on collection rates, industrial activity, imports, recycling capacity, and the availability of suitable grades. Any reduction in imported material can quickly increase competition among secondary aluminium producers.
China experienced a change in import momentum during Q2, with April and May imports declining year-on-year. At the same time, weaker downstream demand created pressure on some scrap categories.
India faced a sharper supply disruption. Middle East-related logistics problems reduced scrap availability and increased costs for secondary aluminium producers. Some units reportedly reduced operations by 20–40%, showing how dependent regional recycling economics can be on imported feedstock.
Aluminium Scrap Price Index: Q2 2026 And Historical Analysis
Aluminium Scrap Price Index: What Changed From Q1 2026?
The five-country average increased from USD 2392.6/MT in Q1 2026 to USD 2576.8/MT in Q2, representing a 7.7% quarter-on-quarter increase. The strongest change occurred in Germany, followed by the USA, while China and India recorded comparatively smaller increases.
Q1 prices were USD 2522/MT in the USA, USD 2427/MT in China, USD 2394/MT in India, USD 2156/MT in Germany, and USD 2464/MT in Brazil.
Aluminium Scrap Price Chart: How Should Buyers Read The Movement?
The quarterly chart shows that Q2 prices strengthened across all five supplied countries compared with Q1. Germany recorded the largest increase from its lower Q1 base, while the USA maintained the highest Q2 level. This suggests that procurement conditions were influenced by local supply factors rather than a single global pricing driver.
Aluminium Scrap Price Forecast 2026: Next 12 Months
The next 12 months are likely to remain sensitive to primary aluminium prices, scrap collection, recycling demand, energy expenses, freight costs, and trade policies. Higher primary aluminium replacement values could support scrap prices by increasing the economic value of recycled material.
However, weaker downstream demand could limit further increases. China may remain sensitive to import volumes and secondary alloy demand, while India will need to monitor the availability and cost of imported scrap. Procurement teams should compare domestic collection trends with international replacement costs before finalizing long-term contracts.
Key Factors Affecting Prices: Quarterly Perspective
- Primary aluminium prices: Higher replacement values can lift scrap purchasing costs.
- Scrap collection: Limited generation of quality scrap can tighten supply.
- Energy costs: Recycling and remelting require significant energy, affecting processor margins.
- Freight: Shipping disruptions can increase landed costs for imported scrap.
- Automotive demand: Vehicle manufacturing is a major consumer of recycled aluminium.
- Construction activity: Building and infrastructure demand influence aluminium consumption and scrap generation.
- Trade policies: Import duties and restrictions can change regional supply economics.
- Secondary aluminium demand: Foundries and alloy producers directly influence scrap purchasing requirements.
What Is Aluminium Scrap And Why Is It Important?
Aluminium scrap is recovered aluminium material collected from manufacturing waste, used products, construction materials, vehicles, packaging, and other sources. It is processed and remelted to produce secondary aluminium and aluminium alloys.
Recycling aluminium generally requires much less energy than producing primary aluminium from ore. This makes scrap an important raw material for automotive, construction, packaging, electrical, and industrial applications.
Recent Developments: Q2 2026 Highlights
Supply disruptions were one of the most important developments during Q2. India's aluminium recycling industry faced shortages after geopolitical disruptions affected scrap imports from the Middle East. Higher scrap costs and lower availability placed pressure on secondary producers.
China also experienced changing trade conditions. Aluminium scrap imports from January to May reached approximately 849,300 MT, down 0.84% year-on-year. April and May volumes declined more sharply, indicating weaker import momentum as the quarter progressed.
At the broader aluminium level, China remained an important supplier to Western markets during 2026, while geopolitical disruptions reshaped international aluminium flows.
FAQs About Aluminium Scrap Pricing Insights
What were Aluminium Scrap Prices in Q2 2026?
Q2 2026 prices were USD 2768/MT in the USA, USD 2478/MT in China, USD 2473/MT in India, USD 2630/MT in Germany, and USD 2535/MT in Brazil. The five-country average increased by approximately 7.7% from Q1.
What does the Aluminium Scrap Price Index indicate for buyers?
The index shows that the five-country average moved higher in Q2 compared with Q1. Buyers should also consider local collection, import availability, freight, primary aluminium values, and recycled aluminium demand when negotiating contracts.
How can the Aluminium Scrap Price Chart help procurement teams?
The chart helps procurement teams compare quarterly price movements across major sourcing regions. It can support supplier negotiations, budgeting, inventory planning, and evaluation of current purchase offers.
How IMARC Helps Procurement Teams
IMARC Group provides structured aluminium scrap pricing data covering regional prices, historical movements, quarterly changes, and forward-looking analysis. Q2 2026 data shows stronger pricing across all five supplied locations compared with Q1. The regional spread also highlights the importance of comparing local supply and demand conditions before purchasing. Going forward, primary aluminium prices, scrap availability, freight, trade policies, and recycling demand will remain important indicators for procurement planning.
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