The price of scrap metal varies depending on the type of metal, its purity, the volume brought in, and the global market prices for raw materials. Understanding these discrepancies allows for an estimation of the actual value of a lot before visiting a scrap dealer. This article details the buyback rates practiced in France for the main ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the factors that influence prices, and the pitfalls to avoid during a transaction.
Buyback rates for non-ferrous metals: comparative table by category
Non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, brass, zinc, lead) represent the most valued part of scrap recycling. Price differences between categories of the same metal are sometimes more pronounced than between two different metals.
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| Metal / category | Indicative price per kg |
|---|---|
| New stripped copper (millberry) | €9.50 |
| Mixed copper (pipes) | €8.50 |
| Clean brass | €5.00 |
| Dirty brass | €4.20 |
| Bronze | €5.20 |
| Zinc | €1.70 |
| Lead | €1.20 |
| Stainless steel | €0.90 |
| Aluminum (engine casing / old) | €1.00 |
| Painted AGS aluminum | €1.80 |
| Aluminum rims | €1.80 |
These rates come from price lists displayed by buyers in Île-de-France and the south of France. They fluctuate weekly based on international prices.
Millberry copper remains the highest-paid metal per kilo, far ahead of aluminum or zinc. Following the scrap metal price trends allows you to spot trends before selling a lot.
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Difference between retail price and professional price: why volume changes everything
An individual bringing in a few kilos of copper will not be bought back at the same rate as a craftsman delivering a ton of cables. Some buyers now display two distinct price lists: a price per kilo for small contributions and a price per ton for professionals.
This difference is explained by processing costs. Weighing, sorting, and storing small quantities takes as much time as a full load, for a much smaller volume of metal. The scrap dealer passes this extra cost onto the unit price.
- Transactions by full load generally reach higher prices than partial contributions, due to reduced handling costs.
- Some buyback points apply a minimum billing amount (for example, €15 at some recyclers), below which the transaction is not completed.
- Several buyers refuse to communicate their prices over the phone, requiring an on-site visit to obtain a quote.
For individuals, grouping their metals and sorting them by category before traveling allows for negotiating a price closer to the professional rate.
Ferrous scrap and steel: prices significantly lower than copper
Ferrous scrap (steel, cast iron, iron) constitutes the bulk of the volumes collected in France, but its value per kilo remains much lower than that of non-ferrous metals. While stripped copper exceeds €9/kg, steel scrap trades at a much more modest level.
The global price of iron ore directly influences the buyback price of ferrous scrap. This price reached a historical high in July 2021. Variations are frequent: over a month, the price of iron ore can fluctuate by more than one percentage point.
For professionals in construction or demolition, ferrous scrap represents a regular flow but with low unit margins. The economic interest lies in volume, not in the price per kilo.
Purity, sorting, and subcategories: what affects the price of the same metal
The “scrap metal price” does not exist in singular form. Each metal is divided into technical subcategories whose prices vary significantly based on the composition and cleanliness of the lot.
Take copper, for example. Between millberry copper (stripped, new, high purity) and mixed copper containing solder or impurities, the gap reaches about €1/kg. For aluminum, the range varies from simple to double depending on whether it is old aluminum or new offcuts.
Similarly, electrical cables are classified by copper content. An RO2V cable (thick sheath, copper conductor) is bought back at around €3/kg, while an RJ45 computer cable drops to €2.40/kg. An aluminum cable falls to €0.60/kg.
- Clean brass is worth €5/kg, while dirty brass (with paint, residues, screws) drops to €4.20/kg.
- White AGS aluminum, being purer, is bought back at a higher price than demolition AGS aluminum.
- The tinned heating body (copper with coating) loses about €1.50/kg compared to new stripped copper.
A rigorous sorting before sale can earn several euros per kilo on a lot of copper or brass. Separating alloys, removing cable sheaths, and cleaning oxidized parts are the most profitable actions.
External factors that influence the buyback price of scrap metal
The rates displayed at a scrap dealer do not depend solely on the metal itself. Several external variables modify prices from week to week.
The prices of raw materials on international markets (London Metal Exchange for non-ferrous metals, CFD indices for iron ore) set a reference that local buyers adjust based on their margins and logistical costs. The local price can deviate significantly from the global price depending on the region, competition among scrap dealers, and demand from foundries.
Regulation also plays a role. Traceability constraints and reporting obligations increase the operating costs of recycling centers, which is reflected in the price offered to the seller.
The price of scrap metal remains a composite indicator, influenced as much by the quality of sorting as by the global metal market situation. Comparing the price lists of several buyers before selling, grouping lots, and ensuring careful sorting are three concrete levers to obtain the best buyback rate.