UBC scrap prices in Q3 2026: Values rise in August and September after July decline

The US aluminium used beverage can (UBC) scrap price benchmark tracked by Argus recorded a mixed performance over the third quarter of 2026, declining in July before rising in August and September. The monthly average increased from USD 2,322.89 per tonne in July to USD 2,491.22 per tonne in August and USD 2,602.51 per tonne in September, indicating a sustained recovery in the benchmark over the three months.

July: Prices decline despite a high opening

The benchmark began July at USD 2,464.98 per tonne on July 1, before falling sharply to USD 2,270.76 per tonne on July 3. The price remained at that level on July 2 and July 6, the lowest recorded price for the month. It subsequently recovered gradually, reaching USD 2,319.86 per tonne on July 10 and USD 2,328.63 per tonne on July 22.

Prices continued to edge higher during the final days of the month, closing at USD 2,345.92 per tonne on July 31. Despite this recovery, the closing price was USD 119.06, or 4.83 per cent, below the July 1 level.

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The monthly average price stood at USD 2,322.89 per tonne. The highest price was USD 2,464.98 per tonne on July 1, while the lowest was USD 2,270.76 per tonne, recorded on multiple dates. The difference between the monthly high and low was USD 194.22, reflecting the sharp early-month decline.

August: Prices rebound by nearly 7 per cent

The benchmark reversed direction in August, rising from USD 2,345.67 per tonne on August 3 to USD 2,504.45 per tonne on August 28. This represented an increase of USD 158.78 points, or 6.77 per cent, between the first and last available observations for the month.

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Prices climbed through the first half of August, moving above USD 2,500 per tonne on August 11 and reaching a monthly high of USD 2,544.69 per tonne on August 13. The benchmark then retreated, falling to USD 2,465.32 per tonne on August 21, before recovering during the final week.

The monthly average increased to USD 2,491.22 per tonne, up USD 168.33 or 7.25 per cent, from July's average. The monthly low was USD 2,345.67 on August 3, while the high was USD 2,544.69 on August 13, producing a range of USD 199.02. August therefore recorded the strongest opening-to-closing percentage gain among the three months.

September: Further gains, with a narrower price range

The upward trend continued in September, although the monthly price range narrowed. The benchmark rose from USD 2,506.71 per tonne on September 1 to USD 2,614.84 per tonne on September 30, gaining USD 108.13, about 4.31 per cent.

Prices climbed above USD 2,600 per tonne on September 4 and reached a monthly high of USD 2,622.98 per tonne on September 10. The benchmark subsequently fluctuated mostly around the USD 2,600–2,620 per tonne range. There was a temporary decline to USD 2,592.01 per tonne on September 14. 

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September's average was USD 2,602.51 per tonne, an increase of USD 111.29, which is about 4.47 per cent, compared with August. The monthly low was USD 2,506.71 on September 1, and the high was USD 2,622.98 on September 10, giving a price range of USD 116.27, the narrowest of the three months.

Overall, the benchmark's monthly average rose by 12 per cent between July and September. The closing value increased from USD 2,345.92 at the end of July to USD 2,614.84 at the end of September, a gain of USD 268.92 (11.46 per cent). The data show a transition from July's decline to two consecutive months of gains, with September recording a more stable price range than July and August.