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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UK HRC discount to north EU expands
UK HRC discount to north EU expands
London, 27 February (Argus) — UK hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices have flipped to a large discount versus north European prices since Tata Steel UK closed its last blast furnace in September 2024. Argus ' UK HRC assessment has traded at an average discount of €62/t ($73/t) to the benchmark north EU HRC index this week. The actual price gap would be even bigger as the UK assessment is effective including extras, whereas the north EU index is base and would need extras and delivery charges added on top. Several factors have likely driven the increasing disparity. The gap has jumped considerably this year, likely because the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has increased the cost of importing into the EU, translating into higher domestic and import prices. UK imports of HRC have jumped considerably since Tata stopped its last blast furnace on 30 September 2024. Imports rose from around 770,000t in 2023 to 1.1mnt in 2024 and 1.4mn t last year. European import prices, on average, are lower than into the UK ( see chart ). UK values are skewed somewhat by expensive laser-plate clearing as HRC. But the cost of UK imports would typically be lower than the cost of production, given the age of Tata's assets and the fact the country is an exceptionally high-cost jurisdiction for iron and steelmaking. Some point to competitive prices from a local producer as one factor depressing the UK market — its prices are currently closer to £540/t ddp, whereas some of its EU counterparts are pushing for — but not obtaining — as high as £600/t ddp. Weak sheet prices are also more of a constraint in the UK than Europe, despite consolidation and high-profile failures in the service centre market in recent years. Some decoilers and service centres are still selling cut sheet at £540-550/t ddp in the UK, whereas north European prices are around £635/t ddp, while even higher prices are being achieved in southern Europe. European mill sources, bemoaning the gap, suggest they could effectively buy coil or sheet from the UK, and profitably sell it back into the EU market. Some traders are flipping to sheet sales into the EU from coil already, because, in some instances, dumping duties can be negated. The current price gap and malaise mean there could be an arbitrage to do this with UK material too, an avenue several will likely try to explore. By Colin Richardson UK HRC diff to EU €/t UK HRC import price v EU (customs data) £/t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
London, 25 February (Argus) — A summary of the most recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey ferrous scrap deals seen by Argus. Ferrous scrap deep-sea trades (average composition price, cfr Turkey) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 17-Feb 40,000 365 (80:20) March/April Izmir Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred N 17-Feb 40,000 375 (80:20) March Izmir USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 17-Feb 40,000 375 (80:20) March Marmara USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 13-Feb 40,000 375 (80:20) March Turkey USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus N 12-Feb 30,000 375 (80:20) March/April Iskenderun USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 10-Feb 40,000 372 (80:20) March/April Izmir Scandinavia/Baltics HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred N 10-Feb 40,000 372 (80:20) March/April Iskenderun Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred N Ferrous scrap short-sea trades (average composition price, cif Marmara) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 6-Feb 3,000 362 (80:20) January Samsun Romania HMS 1/2 80:20 Y Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Gerdau sees US steel demand holding firm
Gerdau sees US steel demand holding firm
Sao Paulo, 24 February (Argus) — Global steelmaker Gerdau expects steel demand to remain strong in the US, underpinned by data centers, solar energy and infrastructure projects. Backlog levels remain above the historical average in the US and demand continues to show positive momentum in North America, chief executive Gustavo Werneck said on an earnings call on 24 February. The company has redirected investments to its US operations following the higher 50pc tariffs on imported steel from 4 June 2025. Gerdau raised its fourth-quarter crude steel production in North America by 27pc to 1.36mn metric tonnes (t), up from 1.07mn t a year earlier. Data center construction and renewable energy projects supported higher sales in the fourth quarter, Gerdau said. Sales in the US increased by 14pc to 1.22mn t in the fourth quarter from the same period a year earlier. Still, the sales increase was limited because higher interest rates and trade uncertainties weighed on demand from the automotive sector, the company said. Total sales across all markets rose by 5pc to 2.9mn t from 2.71mn t a year earlier, supported by a hike in sales in the US and higher export levels, it said. Brazil, Mexico overview Gerdau will keep its investment projects in Mexico on hold until steel trade agreements between the US and Mexico point to a clearer advantage in strengthening its position in the Mexican market, Werneck said. Changes to Mexico's labor legislation, which gradually reduce the statutory workweek through 2030, are also making investments less attractive, executives said. The company cancelled plans for a specialty steel mill in Mexico because of the US tariff increases on imported steel. In Brazil the firm will focus on the domestic market rather than increase export offers based on stronger European demand under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, executives said. Despite stricter safeguard measures and anti-dumping duties, Gerdau has no plans to increase capacity or production in the short term. Crude steel production in Brazil fell by 4.8pc to 1.42mn t in the fourth quarter, down from 1.49mn t a year earlier. Sales increased by 2.4pc because of higher export levels. Flat steel domestic sales rose by 16pc to 406,000t from 349,000t in the same period in the previous year. By Isabel Filgueiras Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argentina's economy swings to growth in 2025
Argentina's economy swings to growth in 2025
Montevideo, 24 February (Argus) — Argentina's economic activity expanded by 4.4pc in 2025, based on preliminary government data. The annual growth was below the government forecast of 5pc and the IMF's more modest 4.5pc growth, but much stronger than the 1.7pc contraction the previous year. The economy also contracted in 2023. December was the strongest month for growth in the fourth quarter of the year, expanding by an annual 3.5pc in December from the prior month, when the economy contracted by a revised annual 0.1pc, according to the statistics institute, Indec. It was the second best monthly performance since June and reversed a two-month slide. The strongest monthly expansion in 2025 was 7.7pc registered in April. The strongest performance for December was in agriculture, up 32.2pc compared from a year earlier. Output in fisheries rose by 18.3pc, financial intermediation rose by an annual 14.1pc and mining climbed by 9.1pc in December from a year earlier. Weighing on growth, manufacturing fell by an annual 3.9pc, hospitality by 1.5pc and retail by 1.3pc. President Javier Milei's government forecasts 5pc growth for 2026, while the IMF projects 4pc growth. Argentina is the IMF's largest creditor nation, with $41.8bn in credits from the IMF out of the $119.5bn owed the institution. The government is betting on a boost from labor reform legislation, which cleared most congressional hurdles in February, but still requires one more vote by the Senate, and additional bills that will make it easier to approve extractive projects. While still grappling with high inflation, the government has a bit more breathing room as the Argentinian peso has appreciated in trading against the US dollar so far this year, following the same pattern of other big economies in the region. The Argentinian peso appreciated 5.2pc between the start of the year and 23 February, second only to Brazil's real in the region. This compares to a 28.9pc depreciation for the peso in 2025. Inflation was running at an annual 32.4pc in January, quickening from 31.5pc in December. The government forecasts inflation to end the year at 10.1pc for 2026 in its annual budget, while the IMF estimates it at 16.4pc and international banks even higher, with JPMorgan forecasting 26pc and BBVA 22pc inflation this year. -By Lucien Chauvin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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