How much is scrap nickel worth: The price of nickel alloy scrap depends on the nickel alloy content, form, and end-use demand. Industrial-grade nickel sludge with a nickel content of over 8% (such as by-products from hydrometallurgy) currently fetches over 1,390 USD per ton, driven by increased nickel demand from the new energy battery industry. In ordinary stainless steel scrap, 304 re-melting scrap is quoted at approximately 1,194–1,556 USD per ton, while high-nickel alloy scrap such as 316 re-melting scrap reaches 2,250–2,278 USD per ton. The value of nickel scrap metal varies significantly in the recycling market: crushed stainless steel is priced at approximately USD 1,347–1,375 per ton, while low-nickel alloy 201 scrap is only USD 735–778 per ton. How much is scrap nickel worth? Separation costs must also be deducted. For example, while hydrometallurgical technology can purify nickel alloy scrap with over 8% nickel content, it requires environmental investments to avoid hefty fines.
How much is scrap nickel worth? We need to classify all nickel alloy scrap to obtain more precise prices. You can also visit the nickel scrap price page to view historical prices, or contact us through the contact page for a more professional quote from our specialized nickel alloy scrap procurement team.
Nickel alloy scrap price are strictly tiered based on alloy type and composition. Heat-resistant nickel alloy scrap (such as Inconel) commands a premium of 30%–50% over stainless steel scrap due to its high-temperature resistance requirements, with the current global average price exceeding $2,500 per ton. Battery-grade nickel alloy scrap, such as “Aker scrap,” is priced based on fluctuations in the LME nickel metal price, currently around $15,000–15,500 per ton. Nickel alloy scrap prices remain firm in the North American market, with specialized recyclers like Turbine Alloys purchasing aerospace-grade scrap at prices exceeding $3,000 per ton. Nickel alloy scrap prices are also influenced by regional competition, with EU companies purchasing Indian heat-resistant alloy scrap at FOB prices 8%–10% lower than domestic prices.
Converting to pounds better aligns with the operational needs of small and medium-sized buyers. The current CIF price for laterite nickel ore (Ni: 1.8%) is approximately $80–82 per wet ton, equivalent to $0.036–0.037 per pound. Pure nickel scrap such as nickel beans and water-quenched nickel is influenced by LME futures, with the price of nickel scrap per pound at approximately USD 6.72, while refined nickel spot prices reach USD 6.84 per pound. Stainless steel scrap is priced based on nickel equivalent: scrap stainless steel with Ni ≈ 7.4–7.6% is currently quoted at 1.06 USD/lb, with a weekly increase of 0.65%. DONGSHENG Precious Metals Recycling's nickel scrap price page provides more detailed market prices.
Copper nickel scrap prices must consider the value of both metals. B30 copper-nickel alloy scrap (containing 30% nickel and the remainder copper) is quoted using the “nickel equivalent price + copper discount” model, currently around $5.2 per pound ($11,500 per ton) supported by current nickel prices. Following new regulations on lithium-ion battery recycling black powder containing copper, import volumes have surged. The prices of copper-nickel scrap from such materials are referenced to metal recovery rates: when copper recovery exceeds 95%, a premium of up to 12% applies. Hazardous waste-class copper-nickel scrap, such as Raney nickel catalyst (containing nickel/copper carriers), has a starting bid price of 0.11 USD/lb (minimum bid of 40 tons, with an increment of 1.4 USD/ton). Copper nickel alloy scrap prices are the most transparent in the North American supply chain, with companies like Commercial Metals providing real-time online quotes. Alloy steel scrap (containing copper and nickel) is listed at a stable price of 3.8–4.1 USD/lb.
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