How Scrap Metal Is Priced in Punjab: Rates, Grades and Weighing

Why scrap rates change every day

Scrap is a commodity. Non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminium, lead and zinc trade on the MCX in India, and those prices follow the international market (LME). When MCX copper moves, copper scrap rates move with it — often the same day.

Iron and steel scrap follow the domestic steel market instead. In Punjab, the steel re-rolling and furnace industry — Mandi Gobindgarh being the best-known hub — drives demand for ferrous scrap, so iron scrap rates rise and fall with steel demand, raw-material costs and the season.

This is why a trustworthy dealer quotes you the rate on the day, rather than a fixed price list.

Grade matters more than most people expect

Within one metal there can be a large gap between grades. Clean bright copper wire is paid much more than insulated cable or copper mixed with solder and fittings. SS 316 is worth more than SS 304, which is worth more than 200-series stainless. Heavy melting iron is priced differently from cast iron or light household iron.

• Copper: bright wire > heavy copper > mixed copper > insulated cable
• Stainless steel: 316 > 304 > 200-series
• Aluminium: clean sections and sheet are priced differently from cast aluminium, utensils and alloy wheels
• Iron: heavy melting scrap, cast iron, turnings and light iron each have their own rate

Why mixed scrap pays less

When different metals or grades are mixed together, the buyer has to sort them — and anything that can't be separated easily gets priced at the lower grade. Attachments like plastic, rubber, wood, glass or concrete add weight but no value, so they are deducted.

A few minutes of sorting before pickup often makes a noticeable difference to the final amount.

• Separate copper, brass and aluminium from iron
• Keep stainless steel away from mild steel
• Strip or remove plastic, rubber, wood and glass where it's safe to do so
• Keep turnings dry and free of other metals and oil

Quantity and pickup

Larger, regular quantities usually get better rates because the transport and handling cost per kilo is lower. Industrial units that produce scrap every week or month often set up a regular collection schedule for this reason.

Weighing: how to make sure it's fair

The rate is only half the deal — the weight is the other half. Small loads should be weighed on a calibrated electronic scale in front of you. For large industrial loads, a verified weighbridge (dharam kanta) gives both sides a printed slip with the gross, tare and net weight.

• Watch the weighing, and check the scale reads zero before loading
• For truckloads, ask for a weighbridge slip
• Get the rate, weight and total agreed before payment

Getting a quick, accurate quote

The fastest way to get a real quote is to WhatsApp a few clear photos of the material, a rough idea of the weight or quantity, and your location. For machinery or factory clearance, a list of the equipment helps.