As of March 6, 2026, the rare metal scrap market continues to be affected by China’s export restrictions, as in the previous month. However, nickel-related scrap remains roughly flat month-on-month. Meanwhile, tungsten-related materials continue to rise due to the relentless increase in the tungsten APT market price. In addition, a conflict in the Middle East began last month, and news reports have highlighted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and delays at major airports. These developments may lead to higher logistics costs, but current domestic prices have not yet been significantly affected. However, there are expectations that the impact may gradually appear from late March and into April.
Titanium
- Pure titanium plate scrap (new offcuts) ⤴
320–370 yen/kg (based on purchase prices by specialized dealers; the same applies below)
Up 20 yen from the previous month - Alloy 6-4 titanium swarf (machining powder) ⤴
170 yen/kg
Up 20 yen from the previous month - Alloy 6-4 titanium scrap ⤴
Around 220 yen/kg
Up 20 yen from the previous month - Ferrotitanium⤴
Actual market level: around $4.8/kg
In the overseas market, as in the previous month, global oversupply has not been resolved, due to continued inflow of Russian ferrotitanium and excess scrap inventories, so prices remain basically flat. However, in the domestic market, rather than the impact of oversupply, poor scrap collection volumes have pushed prices upward.
Tool Materials
- Die steel (SKD61) →
60 yen/kg - High-speed steel (mixed) →
430 yen/kg - High-speed steel (single-grade items) ↑
530 yen/kg - Cemented carbide scrap ⤴
12,000–15,000 yen/kg
As in the previous month, China’s export restrictions, the war, and low recovery rates of tungsten ore have increased the use of recycled materials, and together with the high APT market price, cemented carbide prices have risen another level.
Molybdenum-related Materials
- Molybdenum oxide: $30–33/lb
Sharp surge followed by a decline - Molybdenum new cutting scrap:
7,500–8,000 yen/kg
Molybdenum oxide is still affected by factors such as a fire accident at a ferromolybdenum plant in the United States and a strike at a major copper mine. However, after the sharp surge last month, prices have pulled back. Ferromolybdenum rose to around $77/kg on February 10. Although the market has now stabilized, it has recorded an increase of about $5–10 since February. Accordingly, molybdenum scrap has reached a high level of around 8,000 yen/kg.
(Price trend of molybdenum oxide over the past three months: $/lb)
Tantalum
- Tantalite⤴
$190/lb — Sharp surge - Tantalum scrap (PIN) →
40,000 yen/kg
The benchmark tantalite price has shown an astonishing rise, surpassing $190 per pound and continuing to increase. The reasons include supply disruptions caused by a landslide in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and growing demand for tantalum capacitors. The price of tantalum pin scrap has already exceeded 40,000 yen/kg, and further increases are considered inevitable.
Stainless Steel / Heat-Resistant Alloys
- SUS304ー
185–195 yen/kg (unchanged from the previous month) - SUS310ー
400–420 yen/kg (unchanged) - SUS316ー
350–370 yen/kg (unchanged) - SUS330ー
600–630 yen/kg (unchanged) - SUS430ー
65–70 yen/kg (unchanged)
After the price increases seen in February, stainless steel prices have now stabilized. The LME nickel market, which had been rising until late January, has calmed, and heat-resistant scrap prices, calculated based on the market price, have also remained flat.
High-Nickel Alloy Scrap
- 42 Alloy scrap ↑
750–800 yen/kg (up from the previous month) - Inconel 718 ↑
1,000–1,100 yen/kg (up) - Inconel 625 ↑
1,100–1,200 yen/kg (up) - Incoloy 800 ↑
600–650 yen/kg (up) - Hastelloy X ↑
700–780 yen/kg (up) - Hastelloy C ↑
810–910 yen/kg (flat from the previous month) - Carpenter alloy →
600 yen/kg (flat) - Stellite⤴
650 yen/kg (up) - Kovar⤴
550 yen/kg (up) - Cupronickel (9/1) ↑
1,000–1,100 yen/kg (up) - Cupronickel (7/3) ↑
835–935 yen/kg (up)
For cupronickel, both grades have increased by about 100 yen, influenced by the recent rise in copper prices and reduced domestic shipment volumes. The price increase in nickel alloys is also partly due to rising chromium prices.
(IRuniverse Oshiro and Translated by Rohini)
