Germany Scrap Prices Mostly Stable as Logistics Tighten
German and broader European ferrous scrap markets remained generally stable in October 2026, with regional price movements mostly limited to €5–15 per tonne as weak steel demand offset persistent Rhine and rail logistics constraints, according to German recycling association bvse.
- Germany: Scrap prices were largely stable, with regional and grade-specific movements generally within €5–15/t.
- North and East: Prices were mostly unchanged or up by as much as €5/t.
- West and South-West: Some mills raised buying prices for higher-quality new scrap by up to €10/t.
- Austria and Spain: Scrap prices increased by €5–15/t depending on grade.
- Italy: German scrap imports increased by only €5–8/t despite expectations for a stronger rise.
- Logistics: Low Rhine water levels and rail constraints continued to disrupt German scrap movements.
October's German scrap market is more notable for logistics than for price direction. Severe transport constraints have not translated into a broad price surge because mill demand remains uneven and regional purchasing requirements differ. The result is a fragmented market: high-quality new scrap has gained modestly in some western areas, while other regions remain flat. For buyers and processors, location and transport access are therefore having an unusually important influence on realized scrap values.
European ferrous scrap prices remained relatively stable through the first half of October, with Germany showing only moderate regional adjustments after stronger expectations at the start of the month.
According to a market report from the Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Recycling (bvse), as cited by GMK Center, price movements generally ranged between €5 and €15 per tonne, depending on location, scrap grade and the timing of individual transactions.
Initial expectations for a more substantial October increase were only partially realized before trading conditions stabilized.
German Scrap Prices Show Limited Regional Movement
Price trends varied considerably across Germany rather than following one national direction.
| German Region | Reported Price Move | Market Context |
|---|---|---|
| North & East | Flat to +€5/t | Modest catch-up effect; early-month deal reportedly above later contracts |
| West & South-West | Up to +€10/t | Limited volumes; some mills paid more for high-quality new scrap |
| Saar | Mostly unchanged | Reduced mill demand limited price movement |
The differences show why a single “German scrap price” would oversimplify October conditions.
Rhine Low Water Continues to Disrupt Scrap Logistics
Transport constraints remain one of the most important issues affecting Germany's steel and recycling sectors.
The October bvse market commentary, as reported by GMK Center, described conditions on the Rhine as critical, with some steel mills and scrap suppliers effectively losing normal access to waterborne transport.
The logistics problem is independently consistent with warnings issued earlier by bvse, BDSV and VDM.
The recycling associations said low water on the Rhine, Danube and Oder had sharply reduced vessel loading capacity, with some barges carrying only one-half to one-third of normal tonnage.
They also warned that freight rates on certain routes had increased three- to fourfold as operators competed for limited vessel capacity.
Rail Transport Remains a Second Bottleneck
Rail logistics were also described as a major constraint in the October market report.
According to bvse information cited by GMK Center, local road transport can cost approximately €5–10/t, while rail tariffs on some movements can reach roughly €30/t.
The report characterized German rail transport as increasingly uncompetitive for some scrap movements because of both pricing and reliability problems.
The importance of flexible logistics was highlighted separately on October 16 when bvse reported that German recycler Lang Recycling had acquired a facility at Karlsruhe's Rhine port, specifically emphasizing the ability to combine road, rail and river transport.
Industrial Restructuring Is Affecting High-Quality Scrap Supply
The bvse report also raised a longer-term supply concern linked to changes in Germany's manufacturing base.
According to the association's market commentary as summarized by GMK Center, relocation of automotive manufacturing activity to Hungary has reduced the amount of automotive scrap appearing in some tenders.
The broader contraction of metalworking activity was also cited as reducing the generation of higher-quality production scrap.
That matters particularly for steelmakers and foundries seeking cleaner scrap grades as they increase recycled metallics use and lower emissions.
European Scrap Markets Remain Mixed
Neighboring markets showed similarly restrained movements rather than a synchronized European price increase.
| Market | October Movement | Reported Context |
|---|---|---|
| France | Flat to +€5/t | High degree of price stability |
| Luxembourg | Flat to +€5/t | Limited upward movement |
| Poland | Flat to +€5/t | Broadly stable |
| Austria | +€5–15/t | Varied by grade |
| Spain | +€5–15/t | Varied by grade |
| Italy | German imports +€5–8/t | Expected stronger rally did not materialize |
The data reinforce the regional character of October's market. Austria and Spain recorded the strongest reported increases, while France, Luxembourg, Poland and much of Germany remained comparatively stable.
Italy Fails to Deliver the Expected Scrap Price Rally
Italy had entered October with expectations for stronger scrap pricing after September weakness.
Instead, mills kept increases contained, while German-origin scrap sold into Italy increased by only approximately €5–8/t, according to the bvse report.
The subdued move followed a $13/t decline in Italian E3 scrap during September in the regional data previously reported by SteelPrices.
See: September Scrap Markets: Turkey Rises $28/t as Europe Diverges .
October Follows a September Recovery in Germany
Germany entered October after its scrap market strengthened during September.
SteelPrices' previous regional report showed German E3 scrap increasing $11/t to $332/t EXW in September, following the summer downturn.
That recovery has not turned into another broad price surge in October.
Instead, current movements have been smaller and more dependent on grade and region.
For the earlier summer trend, see: Regional Scrap Price Declines Slowed in August .
Euro Movement Supports Export Flexibility
The bvse report also cited the euro's depreciation against the U.S. dollar as giving European scrap exporters greater flexibility in international negotiations.
A weaker euro can improve the competitiveness of euro-denominated material when sold into dollar-based export markets, although freight, grade and destination remain important to individual transactions.
What Does October's European Scrap Market Show?
October has so far produced a relatively stable European scrap market rather than the stronger price rally some participants expected.
In Germany, high-quality grades have gained modestly in selected regions, but other areas remain flat because mill purchasing demand is limited.
The larger issue is the cost and reliability of moving scrap.
Low Rhine water levels have impaired barge transport, while rail constraints are reducing the competitiveness of another major bulk-freight option.
At the same time, bvse is warning that structural changes in German manufacturing could reduce future availability of higher-quality production scrap.
Primary market reporting: bvse, as reported by GMK Center.
Logistics verification: bvse; BDSV; VDM.
Courtesy: GMK Center
