Davis Index’ weekly north and south UK HMS 1&2 (80:20) ferrous scrap indices declined £9/mt ($11/mt) to £141/mt delivered dockside and £139/mt delivered, respectively, on Tuesday.
Most British bulk ferrous scrap processors followed the trend set by one large operator early last week to protect narrowing margins and dropped dockside purchase prices by £5-9/mt.
A south UK-based trader paying a maximum of £135/mt for HMS 1&2 (80:20) noted that the flow of material across the weighbridge had slowed down significantly at those levels.
Merchant scrap yards’ attentions were largely turned towards monthly mill-yard negotiations with local smelters this week rather than dealing with the export markets.
Another Midlands-based merchant noted that a large UK domestic ferrous scrap buyer had opened discussions with bids of £10-15/mt lower on last month’s levels.
The weekly indices for north and south UK OA (Plate & Structural) ferrous scrap declined by £8/mt and £5/mt to £160/mt, respectively, delivered dockside over the past week.
The weekly index for north and south UK 5A/5C (frag feed) edged £1/mt lower to £80/mt over the same period.
(£1 = $1.25)