Scrap Steel Prices UK
Current UK scrap steel prices per kg and per tonne for all ferrous grades. Prices are aggregated from UK scrap yards and updated daily.
Quick Answer
UK scrap steel prices in April 2026: HMS 1 (heavy melting steel) averages £0.18–0.25/kg (£180–250/tonne), HMS 2 averages £0.15–0.20/kg, and light iron pays £0.10–0.18/kg. Prices are driven by the CFR Turkey HMS 1/2 benchmark, currently around $384/tonne. Cast iron and plate & structural steel command premium prices. All prices are national averages from UK scrap yards, updated daily.
Ferrous Steel Grades
| Grade | Price / kg | ||
|---|---|---|---|
HMS 1 Heavy Steel, Heavy Iron | £0.215 | ||
HMS 2 Light Steel, Mix Iron | £0.260 | ||
Light Iron Tin Cans, White Goods | £0.160 | ||
Cast Iron Radiators, Manhole Covers | £0.120 | ||
P&S (Plate & Structural) Girders, Heavy Plate | Awaiting data | ||
What Are the Different UK Scrap Steel Grades?
Scrap steel in the UK is classified into grades based on thickness, composition, and preparation. The most common system uses HMS (Heavy Melting Steel) grades, which originated from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
HMS 1 is the premium grade, consisting of heavy steel at least 6mm thick. This includes structural steel, rails, and heavy machinery. HMS 2 covers lighter material including sheet metal, car bodies, and mixed light steel.
Light iron includes the lightest ferrous material: tin cans, white goods, and thin sheet metal. Cast iron covers items like radiators, manhole covers, and engine blocks. Plate & structural(P&S) commands the highest prices as it consists of thick steel plates and girders.
All UK scrap steel prices are linked to the Platts TSI HMS 1/2 CFR Turkey benchmark. The UK is a major exporter of ferrous scrap, with Turkey being the largest buyer. When the Turkish import price rises, UK yard prices follow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is HMS 1 scrap steel?
HMS 1 (Heavy Melting Steel) is the highest grade of ferrous scrap. It consists of heavy steel items at least 6mm thick and no longer than 1.5 metres. Examples include steel beams, rails, axles, and heavy machinery parts. It commands the best price due to its high yield in the melting process.
How should I prepare scrap steel for sale?
Remove any non-ferrous attachments (copper wiring, aluminium fittings, rubber). Separate heavy steel from light iron, as they're priced differently. Clean, sorted steel fetches a higher price than mixed loads. Most yards won't accept sealed containers or items containing hazardous materials.
What affects UK scrap steel prices?
UK scrap steel prices are primarily driven by the CFR Turkey benchmark (the Platts TSI HMS 1/2 80:20 index). Other factors include domestic demand from UK steelworks, shipping costs to Turkey, exchange rates (USD/GBP), and seasonal construction activity.