German consumption remains subdued with no signals that any improvement is on the horizon. Distributors are finding it hard to reduce inventories due to dreadfully low sales. Basis values continue to dip slightly. It is difficult to establish a market level since each mill makes its own price, depending on quantity and how few orders they have on their books. Some suppliers are carrying a great deal of stock. There are plenty of third country offers at prices below those of the domestic producers but buyers consider purchasing that far ahead to be too risky.

There has been no improvement in the French market in terms of demand and anyone willing to buy significant tonnages makes the price. In this context, values have fallen further this month. Stock levels remain too high relative to demand and are not declining sufficiently fast. Although there is less import competition from China, the number of offers from Ukraine and Russia has increased.

Market sentiment is at a low ebb in Italy, where we cannot see any signs of recovery in demand. The very low activity levels are expected to persist for the next few quarters. Customers are buying the absolute minimum necessary to survive. The stock adjustment phase is ongoing because inventories are not being absorbed due to muted sales volumes. Domestic mills have trimmed basis values to match Turkish import competition but orders do not really depend on price anymore, so further discounts are unlikely to promote more business.

Steel production in the UK is being seriously undermined by extremely weak consumption and continued destocking. Distributors are in dire straits, particularly those supplying strip to the auto and domestic appliance manufacturers. Many are only purchasing for contractual business they already have in place, rather than restocking, because the demand picture changes daily. Although third country material is available, in the current climate, customers do not want the exposure involved.

In Belgium, warehouses are full, with the mills supplying standard sizes ex-stock. Basis figures, generally, are well down on those reported in February. Some non-EU steel, purchased at relatively high prices, is now arriving at Antwerp. The European buyers have no other choice than to sell this material at a loss. Distributors are letting stock go very cheaply, just to raise cash.

Spanish service centre inventories are too high for current demand, which is very subdued. The market is unlikely to recover for another six months. Suppliers are having to contend with some major credit problems. Current overseas quotations are reported to be on a par with domestic prices as local mills discount down to the import level. However, buyers are not interested in purchasing from foreign sources when they can deal with Spanish producers and get material within three to four weeks, or less.

Source: www.meps.co.uk

EU SCRAP PRICES
Old Mixed Aluminium 254.14 338.86 MT EURO
Old Yellow Brass 694.66 1169.05 MT EURO
No.2 Scrap Copper 1609.57 1863.71 MT EURO
Mixed Lead 372.74 626.88 MT EURO
Nickel Scrap 5726.67 7641.21 MT EURO
No.2 Steel 134.19 167.73 MT EURO
Stainless Scrap 491.34 643.83 MT EURO
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 288.03 559.11 MT EURO

UNITED KINGDOMN SCRAP PRICES 

Old Mixed Aluminium 238.99 318.65 MT UK
Old Yellow Brass 653.24 1099.35 MT UK
No.2 Scrap Copper 1513.60 1752.59 MT UK
Mixed Lead 350.52 589.51 MT UK
Nickel Scrap 5385.23 7185.62 MT UK
No.2 Steel 126.19 157.73 MT UK
Stainless Scrap 462.05 605.44 MT UK
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 270.85 525.78 MT UK

In Germany, the higher values that producers tried to enforce for September deliveries of some stripmill products were only accepted by a limited number of customers. Service centres have enough steel to cover current demand, which has weakened in several market sectors. There is now more ex-stock material available from the EU mills. Some quantities of Indian and Chinese imports have been ordered and should arrive in time for the final trimester. Negotiations with local suppliers for period four shipments are due to start later this month. We do not believe that any increases will be possible, despite such proposals by the steelmakers.

For remainder of article please go to http://www.meps.co.uk/keynote9-08.htm  

Material is hard to locate in Germany with delivery lead times of around six to eight weeks for commodity grade products. Only small quantities are being offered by non-EU mills and the prices are not interesting to German customers. Buyers tried to purchase ahead as they saw values constantly escalating and now business is starting to decline, particularly demand from construction. Projects may be cancelled due to the expense of steel.

Remaining article can be seen at www.meps.co.uk/keynote7-08.htm

Old Mixed Aluminium 502.92 670.56 MT EURO
Old Yellow Brass 1648.46 2738.11 MT EURO
No.2 Scrap Copper 4163.05 4372.60 MT EURO
Mixed Lead 488.95 810.26 MT EURO
Nickel Scrap 9108.42 12153.87 MT EURO
No.2 Steel 217.51 271.89 MT EURO
Stainless Scrap 1271.27 1690.37 MT EURO
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 377.19 754.38 MT EURO

http://scrapmetalpricesandauctions.com/eu-uk/

The relentless upward movement in EU prices continues. Customers are obliged to accept the new higher third quarter values demanded by local producers. Prices of imported strip into Europe are still increasing this month, although less material is entering the region. There is relatively little steel from China due to the pending anti-dumping investigations. Output from domestic mills for July/September deliveries appears to be restricted.

Demand from end-users in Germany has slowed slightly because they are not sure they can pass on their increased costs to their customers in a weakening economic climate. Although service centres are making good profits at present, they are keeping stocks down. Third country imports are available, albeit not always at attractive prices. Buyers are not keen to place orders for deliveries so far ahead, when they feel current prices are probably at their peak for this cycle.

In the French market, inventories are quite low and not expected to recover in the near term because of a lack of overseas availability and restricted supply from domestic sources. Prices continue to increase for third quarter deliveries. Sales are only average, although demand from the auto sector has improved.

Strip mill prices have registered further sizeable rises in Italy this month and the trend is expected to continue to the end of the summer as import volumes drop away. As hot rolled coil prices escalate, they are pushing the rest of the flat products with them. Stocks are depleted at present because customers are reluctant to risk losing money if the price trend goes into reverse.

For complete article visit http://www.meps.co.uk/keynote6-08.htm  

It is reported that the price of HMS 1/2 (80:20) scrap in Germany has surged by 110 percent to US$655/ton in May, continuing its upward trend.

It is expected that the highest price yet, will appear in the next half year, as demand for scrap remains strong, according to a trader.

Global market price of scrap remains firm, as the export price of mixed scrap (80:20) from Europe to Turkey has reached US$750/ton CFR.

Source www.yieh.com

Old Mixed Aluminium 489.69 643.60 MT EURO
Old Yellow Brass 1539.04 2574.39 MT EURO
No.2 Scrap Copper 3917.55 4127.42 MT EURO
Mixed Lead 559.65 937.41 MT EURO
Nickel Scrap 9849.83 13123.79 MT EURO
No.2 Steel 209.03 261.29 MT EURO
Stainless Scrap 1343.16 1790.88 MT EURO
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 419.74 853.47 MT EURO

Source www.scrapmetalpricesandauctions.com

European Union 

Old Mixed Aluminium 483.84 640.38 MT EURO
Old Yellow Brass 1551.13 2589.96 MT EURO
No.2 Scrap Copper 3941.87 4155.33 MT EURO
Mixed Lead 654.61 1095.75 MT EURO
Nickel Scrap 11384.46 15169.79 MT EURO
No.2 Steel 205.94 257.43 MT EURO
Stainless Scrap 1437.29 1906.90 MT EURO
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 455.38 910.76 MT EURO

United Kingdom 

Old Mixed Aluminium 384.73 509.20 MT UK
Old Yellow Brass 1233.39 2059.42 MT UK
No.2 Scrap Copper 3134.40 3304.13 MT UK
Mixed Lead 520.51 871.29 MT UK
Nickel Scrap 9052.41 12062.33 MT UK
No.2 Steel 163.76 204.70 MT UK
Stainless Scrap 1142.87 1516.28 MT UK
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap 362.10 724.19 MT UK

For more prices visit www.scrapmetalpricesandauctions.com/eu-uk

Old Mixed Aluminium       488.32     646.30 MT EURO
Old Yellow Brass           1666.02    2771.91 MT EURO
No.2 Scrap Copper        4222.49    4437.92 MT EURO
Mixed Lead                    718.11    1192.06 MT EURO
Nickel Scrap                    12294.06    16401.65 MT EURO
No.2 Steel                          207.85       259.81 MT EURO
Stainless Scrap                1450.58      1924.54 MT EURO
Old Mixed Zinc Scrap      473.95       933.54 MT EURO

For additional EU or UK scrap metal prices visit www.scrapmetalpricesandauctions.com/eu-uk/