Stainless Steel Scrap Prices UK Today
Live UK stainless steel scrap prices per kg and per tonne for 316, 304 and mixed grades. Priced against the LME nickel benchmark and refreshed every few minutes.
Last updated 18 May 2026, 12:01 UK time
Stainless Steel Grades — £/kg & £/tonne
| Grade | Price / kg |
|---|---|
316 Stainless Marine Grade | £3.40 |
304 Stainless 18/8 Stainless | £0.417 |
Mixed Stainless Turnings, Mixed | £0.475 |
Quick Answer
UK stainless steel scrap prices in May 2026: 316 stainless (marine grade) pays £0.60–1.00/kg (£600–1,000/tonne), 304 stainless (18/8) pays £0.40–0.70/kg (£400–700/tonne), and mixed stainless pays £0.25–0.45/kg. Stainless steel scrap prices are driven by the LME nickel price, not the CFR Turkey benchmark used for ferrous steel. The higher the nickel content in the grade, the more valuable the scrap.
What Drives Stainless Steel Scrap Prices in the UK?
Today's UK stainless steel price per kg is determined by the LME nickel benchmark, not the CFR Turkey reference used for ferrous scrap. Stainless steel scrap is valued for its nickel and chromium content — when nickel rises on the London Metal Exchange, the stainless steel scrap price per kg in the UK rises with it. Yards typically refresh per-kg rates weekly, with bulk loads quoted per tonne.
Unlike ferrous steel (which tracks CFR Turkey), stainless steel prices are driven by the LME nickel price. When nickel rises on the London Metal Exchange, stainless scrap prices follow.
316 stainless (marine grade) contains 10–14% nickel and 2–3% molybdenum, making it the most valuable common stainless grade. It's found in marine fittings, chemical equipment, and surgical instruments.
304 stainless (18/8) is the most widely used stainless steel. Kitchen sinks, food processing equipment, and architectural trim are typically 304. It contains 8–10.5% nickel.
Mixed stainless includes turnings, swarf, and unsorted stainless items. It trades at a discount because the yard must sort and identify the grades before processing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is stainless steel per kg in the UK today?
Today's UK stainless steel scrap prices per kg: 316 marine grade £0.60–1.00/kg, 304 (18/8) £0.40–0.70/kg, and mixed stainless £0.25–0.45/kg. New (non-scrap) stainless sheet typically costs £4–10/kg from a stockist depending on thickness and grade. The live yard averages are shown in the table above.
What is the cost of 1 kg of stainless steel?
1 kg of new stainless steel from a UK stockist costs roughly £4–£10 depending on grade and form (sheet, bar, tube). As scrap, 1 kg of stainless pays £0.25–£1.00 depending on grade — 316 marine grade pays the most, followed by 304, then mixed stainless turnings and swarf.
What is the price of 304 stainless steel per kg in the UK?
304 stainless steel scrap pays £0.40–0.70/kg in the UK today (£400–700/tonne). New 304 sheet from a stockist typically runs £4–8/kg depending on thickness. 304 is the most widely used stainless steel — found in kitchen sinks, food processing equipment, and architectural trim, and contains 8–10.5% nickel.
How much is 316 stainless steel price per kg in the UK?
316 stainless steel scrap pays £0.60–1.00/kg in the UK (£600–1,000/tonne) — the highest of the common stainless grades. New 316 sheet costs roughly £6–10/kg from a UK stockist. The premium reflects 10–14% nickel plus 2–3% molybdenum content, which gives 316 superior corrosion resistance, particularly against salt water and chlorides.
What is the scrap price of SS 304?
SS 304 (stainless 18/8) scrap pays £0.40–0.70/kg in the UK today, or £400–700/tonne. Yards typically price 304 against the LME nickel benchmark rather than the CFR Turkey ferrous benchmark. Sorted, clean 304 turnings pay closer to the top of that range; mixed loads or contaminated material pay the bottom.
What is 304 stainless steel worth as scrap?
304 stainless steel is worth £0.40–0.70 per kilogram as scrap in the UK. For typical household items: a stainless steel sink (10–15 kg) pays £4–10, stainless cutlery (1–3 kg) pays £0.50–2, and a stainless commercial worktop (40–60 kg) pays £16–42. Higher payouts for clean, sorted, and bulk material.
How can I identify stainless steel for scrapping?
Stainless steel is non-magnetic (with some exceptions for work-hardened 304). It won't rust like mild steel. Use a magnet test first: if the magnet doesn't stick, it's likely stainless. To distinguish 304 from 316, professional yards use XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysers. The grade significantly affects the price, so sorting before selling is worthwhile.
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?
304 stainless (also called 18/8) contains approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. 316 stainless (marine grade) adds 2–3% molybdenum for superior corrosion resistance, especially against salt water. The higher molybdenum and nickel content makes 316 more valuable as scrap — typically 30–50% more than 304 per kg.