Metal prices: trends July 2025
Global raw material markets are undergoing deep transformations in mid-2025. Driven by the global energy transition, supply pressures, and the reorganization of industrial chains, industrial metal prices display contrasting yet strategic trends for all players in recycling and recovery.
This dynamic reflects major structural changes in the global economy. As decarbonization accelerates, base metals are no longer simple industrial commodities: they have become highly strategic resources whose price fluctuations directly impact the entire value chain, from international brokers to local job sites.
1. Global Macroeconomic Context and Supply Pressures
Since the beginning of the first quarter, the non-ferrous metals market has operated under pressure from several converging factors. First, targeted industrial recovery and the realignment of investments toward sustainable infrastructure have created unprecedented supply tension in international warehouses.
Additionally, primary extraction and refining costs remain high due to strict energy policies. This situation significantly reinforces the strategic importance of metal recycling (secondary metals), which has become an essential alternative to supply production lines while lowering the global carbon footprint.
2. Rising Copper: Driving the Energy Transition
The red metal confirms its position as a barometer of the modern economy, recording a sustained increase of +8% since January 2025. This steady progression is driven by three structural factors:
- The massive growth of electric mobility: Manufacturing an electric vehicle requires, on average, four times more copper than a traditional internal combustion vehicle (windings, batteries, wiring).
- Renewable energy and grid deployment: Photovoltaic power plants, wind farms, and smart grid connections generate continuous underlying demand.
- Tensions in recycled copper supply: Refineries are actively seeking high-grade copper (Millberry, stripped wire, new scrap), driving scrap buyback prices up for suppliers and professionals.
3. Stable Aluminum: Solid Market Equilibrium
Unlike copper, aluminum prices demonstrate high stability, holding steady around $2,400/ton on international markets.
This price plateau stems from a balanced supply from smelters and consistent demand across key sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and construction (aluminum joinery, cladding). The value of recycled aluminum remains particularly attractive: remelting secondary aluminum consumes up to 95% less energy than primary bauxite ore production, ensuring steady demand for extrusions, casings, and sheet metal.
4. Outlook for Brass, Stainless Steel, Lead, and Cables
Other metal categories follow this trend, each with specific industry dynamics:
- Brass and Bronze: As copper-rich alloys, their value closely tracks the price of red metal, making them highly sought-after during plumbing demolitions and renovations.
- Electrical Cables: Insulated cable valuation (PVC or rubber-sheathed) directly benefits from higher copper content, with increased interest in heavy-gauge industrial cables.
- Stainless Steel and Scrap Metal: Supported by consistent demand from European steel mills, stainless steel and heavy scrap metal prices remain stable, backed by circular economy goals.
Direct Impact on Our Buyback Rates
Given these market fluctuations, quick response times are essential. That is why our buyback rates are indexed daily to the London Metal Exchange (LME).
This daily update guarantees complete transparency, allowing global market increases to immediately reflect in your yard drop-offs or job-site material collections.
5. How to Maximize the Value of Your Scrap Metals
To get the highest returns on your metal sales in this favorable market environment, follow these best practices:
- Methodical sorting at the source: Strictly separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals, and isolate high-value alloys (copper, brass) from mixed scrap to prevent price downgrading.
- Material preparation: Stripping insulation from cables (to obtain Millberry copper) or removing iron parts from aluminum structures grants access to higher price tiers.
- Regular deliveries: Tracking LME trends helps you execute transactions at peak pricing points on the market curve.
