This week, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China rose to 9,950-10,050 yuan/mt. In Foshan, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts held steady at 9,650-9,950 yuan/mt. Currently, when calculated by raw material, the production cost of stainless steel produced entirely from stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,831.58 yuan/mt, while the production cost of stainless steel produced entirely from high-grade NPI is approximately 13,416.71 yuan/mt. This week, the tax-exclusive purchase price of 304 molten steel at a steel mill in south China was 9,330 yuan/mt, up 270 yuan/mt from the previous period, which is equivalent to a tax-inclusive price of approximately 1,006 yuan/mtu for high-grade NPI. This week, despite the continued downward trend in the prices of high-grade NPI and high-carbon ferrochrome, the spot price of finished stainless steel products strengthened significantly, driven by favourable macro policies. The price of stainless steel scrap also followed suit and increased. Market confidence was boosted by the favourable policies. Additionally, the supply of stainless steel scrap in the market was tight, prompting some traders to choose to hold back their inventory and stand firm on quotes, further supporting the upward price trend. However, compared to high-grade NPI, the economic efficiency of stainless steel scrap has clearly become less competitive. As the impact of favourable macro policies gradually fades, the price of finished stainless steel products has begun to weaken. Coupled with the continuous decline in the prices of raw materials such as high-grade NPI and high-carbon ferrochrome, the price of stainless steel scrap is expected to struggle to maintain its strong performance under the dual pressures of cost disadvantages and weak demand.

This week, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China weakened and declined to 9,600-9,700 yuan/mt, while the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in Foshan also declined to 9,400-9,700 yuan/mt. Currently, based on raw material calculations, the production cost of stainless steel using entirely stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,417.11 yuan/mt, and the production cost of stainless steel using entirely high-grade NPI is approximately 13,704.2 yuan/mt. This week, a steel mill in south China purchased 304 stainless steel scrap molten steel at 9,150 yuan/mt. This week, the prices of stainless steel finished products, high-grade NPI, and high-carbon ferrochrome all declined simultaneously. The persistent inversion of costs and selling prices for stainless steel mills has made it difficult to reverse, leading to a significant reduction in companies' purchase willingness for high-priced raw materials. Affected by this pessimistic market sentiment, the price of stainless steel scrap also fell. Although stainless steel scrap still has a clear cost advantage compared to high-grade NPI, under the overall cautious and wait-and-see market atmosphere, the trading activity in the stainless steel scrap market was noticeably insufficient this week. At the same time, the poor performance of stainless steel mills' May futures orders has exacerbated the inversion of costs and profits, strengthening expectations for production cuts. Additionally, the subsequent impact of US tariff policies has not yet fully materialized, creating significant uncertainty on the demand side for stainless steel scrap. Considering the above factors, it is expected that the price of stainless steel scrap will continue to maintain a weak trend in the short term.

[SMM Analysis: Stainless Steel Finished Products Strengthen, Driving Up Stainless Steel Scrap, Raw Material Cost Advantage Gradually Lost] This week, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China increased to 10,000-10,100 yuan/mt; in Foshan, the price rose to 9,800-10,100 yuan/mt. Currently, calculated by raw material, the production cost of stainless steel made entirely from stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,890.79 yuan/mt, while the cost of stainless steel made entirely from high-grade NPI is approximately 13,668.04 yuan/mt. This week, a steel mill in south China raised its tax-inclusive purchase price for 304 stainless steel scrap molten steel to 10,100 yuan/mt, an increase of 100 yuan/mt compared to the previous period...

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[SMM Analysis: Stainless Steel Production Schedule Expected to Increase, Stainless Steel Scrap More Economical with Rising Prices] This week, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts in east China strengthened and rose to 9,650-9,750 yuan/mt; in Foshan, the price of 304 stainless steel scrap off-cuts increased to 9,500-9,800 yuan/mt. Currently, by raw material calculation, the production cost of stainless steel made entirely from stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,476.32 yuan/mt, while the production cost of stainless steel made entirely from high-grade NPI is approximately 13,554.49 yuan/mt. This week, the tax-inclusive purchase price of 304 stainless steel scrap molten steel at a steel mill in south China was 10,000 yuan/mt, up by 100 yuan/mt compared to the previous period...

[SMM Analysis: Economic Advantage of Stainless Steel Scrap Maintained, Market Transactions Expected to Rebound] This week, the price of 304 stainless steel off-cuts in east China increased to 9,350-9,450 yuan/mt, while in Foshan, the price rose to 9,350-9,650 yuan/mt. Currently, by raw material calculation, the production cost of stainless steel made entirely from stainless steel scrap is approximately 13,121.05 yuan/mt, while that made entirely from high-grade NPI is approximately 13,370.82 yuan/mt. This week, large stainless steel producers in south China have not updated their procurement prices for stainless steel scrap...