Scrap
Overview
Argus provides comprehensive and detailed coverage of the global ferrous and non-ferrous scrap markets, with over 1,000 prices assessed by a global network of highly skilled market experts.
Argus’ strength lies in our ability to create appropriate methodologies for the trading dynamics of a specific spot market and to provide mechanisms for valuing scrap alloys.
Participants in the scrap industry rely on our extensive price data to act as an independent contract settlement mechanism, and use our powerful tools, like the Argus Alloy Calculator, to estimate the intrinsic value of highly engineered alloys.
Ferrous coverage
Argus offers a comprehensive regional view of the most active spot markets for ferrous scrap in regions around the world. Each price is available for direct comparison in multiple markets, with currency and unit of measurement conversions available to standardise charts and facilitate detection of favourable trade conditions.
Distinguished by either fob dealer or delivered to consumer inco terms, all prices are aligned with common industry specifications for that region. Explore the full list of scrap prices and specifications, including the length of history available on the Argus Metals platform for the grades assessed.
- Bundles
- Busheling
- Foundry/specialty
- Heavy melt
- Machine shop turnings
- Plate and structural
- Shredded scrap
- Tool steel
- Stainless and super alloys
- Alloy Calculator, where the current value of any alloy can be calculated by an intrinsic value formula in the absence of sufficient liquidity to produce a proper assessment
Non-ferrous coverage
Argus provides the full range of non-ferrous coverage from scrap price assessments on UBC, zorba, taint, tweak, and twitch products, as well as exchange data (30-minute delay LME and Comex prices are standard with Argus products) and global base metal premiums. Explore the full list of scrap prices in each non-ferrous category and visit the exchange data page to understand the unique value that Argus brings through its analysis of global exchange prices.
- Aluminium prices
- Aluminium alloy prices
- Brass/bronze prices
- Copper prices
- Lead prices
- Nickel prices
- Stainless and alloys
- Zinc prices
- Alloy Calculator, including over 200 predefined common alloys
- Exchange data
Highlights of North American coverage
Argus’ coverage of the North American scrap market focuses on spot market trading patterns within the most active regional domestic trading locations, as well as on export transactions. The full value chain is represented in the suite of Argus scrap assessments, from collected at yard to delivered to consumer prices:
- 8 containerised scrap price locations
- 14 consumer buying scrap price locations, including US and Canada
- 8 export yard scrap buying price locations
- 4 dealer selling scrap price locations
- 139 regional US and Canada non-ferrous scrap yard collection prices
- Prime and obsolete grades of scrap price assessments
- Mill and foundry grades of scrap price assessments: Titanium, stainless and scrap alloy pricing
- Southern US busheling and shredded weighted average assessments
Highlights of European coverage
Argus Scrap Markets provides context and intelligence to European domestic scrap markets to help steel mills, scrap suppliers, buyers and industrial manufacturers gain a greater understanding of the markets in which they operate. Argus produces over 50 European scrap prices assessments, including:
- German domestic ferrous scrap prices
- Spanish domestic ferrous scrap prices
- Spanish imported scrap prices
- UK domestic ferrous scrap prices
- Russia, including St Petersburg, dockside price
Highlights of Asian coverage
Argus carries Asian scrap prices from a variety of mature scrap-generating markets, and provides insightful analysis of deep-sea trades and short-sea trades. Argus covers the full scope of steel mill purchasing activity for electric arc furnace-based production, including stainless and engineered steels, in recognition of the global nature of many steel feedstocks purchased by mills across the world:
- Taiwan imported ferrous scrap prices
- India imported ferrous scrap prices
- Pakistan imported ferrous scrap prices
- Bangladesh imported ferrous scrap prices
- China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan imported aluminium scrap prices
- China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan imported copper scrap prices
Argus carries a variety of global scrap prices in each of its three core products — Argus Scrap Markets, Argus Ferrous Markets and Argus Non-Ferrous Markets. To discover the combination of products that will provide the most complete coverage to serve your company’s needs, contact us for a consultation. Information about Argus subscription options can be found here.
Stay ahead of the scrap metal markets
To be informed of relevant content, sign up to Argus Scrap Metal Market Highlights. Each newsletter issue provides key prices, selected news, downloadable insight papers, podcasts, and on-demand videos across the global scrap markets. Our coverage spans both ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, enabling you to explore the most active spot markets for scrap around the world.
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Australia's BHP iron ore port workers set to strike
Australia's BHP iron ore port workers set to strike
Sydney, 29 May (Argus) — Electrical workers at global mining firm BHP's iron ore port operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (WA) plan to strike as early as June if a ballot of union members authorises protected industrial action. Electrical Trades Union (ETU) members working at Port Hedland are planning to hold strike action after six months of failed negotiations with BHP, the union said on 29 May. BHP has made contingency plans to ensure operations can continue safely and reliably if a strike goes ahead at the port, a spokesperson told Argus . The ETU has lodged an application for a protected action ballot order with Australia's national workplace relations tribunal, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which would authorise the union's 200 port staff members to legally strike. BHP is negotiating a new enterprise agreement for its port operations team, which will cover a total of about 450 port employees, excluding contractors, Argus understands. Port Hedland is the world's largest bulk iron ore export port and is a key export hub in BHP's WA iron ore supply chain. The firm produced 257mn t of iron ore in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025. By Emma Partis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australian activists challenge Glencore coal expansion
Australian activists challenge Glencore coal expansion
Sydney, 21 May (Argus) — Australian environmentalists have launched court action to block Glencore's planned expansion of its Hail Creek open-cut coal mine in Queensland, citing concerns over methane emissions and native habitat destruction. The Mackay Conservation Group (MCG) lodged an objection against the proposed expansion in the Queensland Land Court on 20 May. The project would extend Hail Creek's mine life by three years, to 2038, and increase total run of mine (ROM) coal production by 24mn t. The mine is currently approved to produce 20mn t/yr of ROM coal. The project is inconsistent with domestic and international climate commitments, MCG said, estimating it would release over 70mn t of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and destroy around 600 hectares (ha) of high-quality koala habitat. The Hail Creek coal mine is regulated under Australia's Safeguard Mechanism, which imposes legislated emissions limits on large facilities, a Glencore spokesperson told Argus . The proposed expansion also includes a GHG emissions abatement plan and detailed mitigation measures for koala habitat, the spokesperson said. Glencore's draft emissions plan outlines the use of existing and emerging technologies to reduce fugitive emissions, including pre-drainage of methane from open-cut operations. Further studies are required to assess the viability of methane pre-drainage, which would be completed within two years of any project approval, the company said. Previous academic studies have indicated that methane emissions from Hail Creek may be four to five times higher than reported. By Emma Partis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU parliament adopts steel safeguards
EU parliament adopts steel safeguards
Brussels, 19 May (Argus) — The European Parliament today adopted the new steel import measure, paving the way for its entry into force by 1 July, subject to final approval by EU member states and publication in the official journal. The regulation , adopted by a large majority, will set tariff-rate quotas of 18.3mn t/yr for steel with an out-of-quota duty set at 50pc for 30 categories of steel products imported to the EU. The European Commission aims to adopt an implementing act by 1 July setting out specific country quotas. EU commissioner Costas Kadis said "intense" discussions are under way in Geneva with more than 20 trading partners. Around 80pc of EU steel imports come from countries with which it has free-trade agreements (FTAs), he said. The commission says safeguards must apply equally to all third countries, including candidate countries such as Ukraine and countries with FTAs. Kadis expects global overcapacity to reach 721mn t by next year, more than five times EU annual steel consumption. Swedish liberal rapporteur Karin Karlsbro criticised the provisions covering Ukrainian steel imports during the parliamentary debate. The commission should help, not punish, Ukraine through the steel safeguards, she said, citing Russian attacks on steelworkers in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro and Kamianske. "Trade policy should be a tool to keep the Ukrainian economy alive while they are defending us," Karlsbro said. Kadis said the decision on Ukraine had not been taken "lightly". Ukraine will receive a country-specific quota that ensures continued steel exports to the EU at levels "lower than before the war". But officials will take account of the country's immediate security situation when setting the quota, he said. French liberal MEP Yvan Verougstraete welcomed the deal for halving import quotas and doubling duties outside tariff-rate quotas. But he called for customs duties on imported cars, saying the use of "cheap, polluting" steel saves Chinese manufacturers €500/car. Polish far-right Patriots member Anna Brylka blamed the commission for the industry's problems, citing high energy costs, climate policy, decarbonisation and the emissions trading system. Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Tariffs increase Lithium Americas' start-up costs
Tariffs increase Lithium Americas' start-up costs
Houston, 18 May (Argus) — US lithium developer Lithium Americas expects tariffs on imported equipment and material for its Thacker Pass Phase 1 project in Nevada to reach as much as $120mn, with most costs to be incurred in 2026. Phase 1 of the project in Humboldt County, Nevada, is designed to produce 40,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Construction costs before tariffs are estimated at $2.93bn, while tariff costs could range from $80mn-120mn, the company said on 14 May. The tariffs apply mainly to equipment and construction materials sourced from Canada, China, India, UAE, Turkey and the EU. More than 75pc of the structural steel, sourced from UAE, is in transit or has arrived on site. The Thacker Pass project is expected to start up by late 2027. Lithium Americas holds a 62pc stake in Thacker Pass, while General Motors owns 38pc. By Carol Luk Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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