Copper Scrap Market Prices Turn Weak in Tokyo and Osaka

Copper scrap market price showed a sign to decline by 10 yen per kilogram for all items around Tokyo on Monday. The market mood also turned weak around Osaka without actual price down. Overseas electrolytic copper markets sharply downturned on September 9 and Japanese copper smelters’ breakeven point with imported ore seemed to lower to around 730,000 yen per tonne on Monday. Some scrap dealers around Tokyo lowered their scrap purchasing prices. However, scrap delivery didn’t increase despite of market price downturn.

Electrolytic copper spot price at London Metal Exchange dropped by US$ 136.5 to US$ 8,904 per tonne on September 9 from the previous day. The spot price at New York Commodity Exchange also declined by 14.05 US cents to 398.75 US cents per pound on the same day. Then Japanese smelters’ breakeven point was estimated at around 730,000 yen on Monday, 20,000 yen lower than the latest indicator.

Around Tokyo, market price of copper based scrap was 660-670 yen per kg for no.1 copper wire and 590-600 yen per kg for no.2 heavy copper. These items showed relatively stable prices to reflect supply tightness. Some dealers approved high prices at 675 yen for no.1 copper wire and 605 yen for no.2 heavy copper. As for brass based items, market price was 470-480 yen per kg for new cutting brass scrap and 425-440 yen per kg for brass turning scrap. Scrap dealers show strong demand for new cutting scrap while turning scrap price is leveling off.

Around Osaka, scrap dealers set their actual purchasing prices unchanged on Monday. Scrap supply kept tight and JX Nippon Mining & Metals’ electrolytic copper ingot selling price, the market indicator, was likely to be revised down on or after Wednesday. Some dealers showed an intention to sustain their purchasing price at 680-685 yen for no.1 copper wire until the indicator’s down revision.