Stainless steel scrap is priced primarily on contained nickel value × LME 3M nickel × recovery factor, with chromium and molybdenum priced separately on Platts references. This guide explains the grades Nautica trades, the ISRI codes, and the pricing mechanics.
Rotterdam Loading
SGS Inspection
MOQ 1× 20GP
CIF / FOB Global
AISI 304: 18–20% Cr, 8–10.5% Ni, C ≤0.08%, balance Fe. ISRI code: 'Stainless Steel Scrap 18-8.' Source: kitchen equipment, food/dairy processing, architectural panels, sheet/plate fabrication. Most-traded stainless grade globally. Pricing: LME 3M Ni × 8% nominal × recovery factor − $400–$800 stainless discount.
AISI 316: 16–18% Cr, 10–14% Ni, 2–3% Mo. ISRI code: 'Stainless Steel 18-10-2 Mo.' Source: chemical processing equipment, marine, pharmaceutical vessels. Premium over 304 because Mo (priced separately at Platts) adds $300–$700/MT to the contained value. Discount: $500–$1,000/MT below LME Ni-derived value.
Solids: sheet, plate, vessel cut-ups, tube — load at 22 MT per 20GP, magnet-tested, photo-documented. Turnings: dry oil-free machining turnings — load at 20 MT per 20GP, degreased before loading, may require briquetting for buyers with hopper-charging. Discount on turnings is wider than solids because of density and oil residue handling.
309 (22-13): high-temperature, furnace applications. 310 (25-20): higher-temperature, similar to 309 with more Cr/Ni. 321 (Ti-stabilised): for high-temperature service avoiding chromium carbide precipitation. 410 (12% Cr, low Ni): martensitic, magnetic — traded as a distinct grade. Specialty grades come from European specialty mill arisings and trade in smaller, on-request lots.
Stainless Steel Scrap 18-8: minimum 7% Ni and 16% Cr, free of foreign attachments. Stainless Steel Scrap 18-10-2 Mo: minimum 9% Ni, 16% Cr and 2% Mo. Stainless Steel Turnings 18-8 / 18-10-2 Mo: dry, free of oil and grease, unbriquetted unless agreed.
Stainless scrap value = (LME 3M Ni × nickel content % × recovery factor) + (Cr value × Cr % × recovery) + (Mo value × Mo % × recovery, if 316) − stainless-scrap discount. The dominant component is nickel because LME nickel moves daily and dwarfs the Cr and Mo contribution. A typical 304 contract: LME Ni $18,000/MT × 8% × 0.95 = $1,368/MT contained Ni, plus Cr/Fe value, minus $500 discount.
Stainless scrap must be XRF-tested at multiple points on every inbound lot to verify chemistry; visual grading alone is unreliable because 304, 316 and 200-series ferritic look similar. Nautica XRF-scans at the yard before loading and supports SGS/BV/Intertek pre-shipment XRF re-checks at buyer's option.
316 traded as 304 by mistake costs the buyer the Mo premium. 304 traded as 316 costs the seller. Cross-contamination is contractually capped at typically 0.5% by weight, verified by XRF on the discharge-port re-check. Nautica segregates 304 and 316 in separate yard bays and XRF-tests every container.
Indian induction-furnace mills (Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Mumbai) — large buyers of 304 solids and turnings. Turkish stainless re-rollers (Mersin, Aliağa) — 304 and 316. Chinese stainless producers (Shanghai, Tianjin) — premium 316 specialty. Korean specialty mills (Busan) — 309/310/321 niche grades.
For ISRI grade detail see the ISRI Scrap Grades Guide. For specification-level purchasing see the Stainless Steel 304 Scrap and Stainless Steel 316 Scrap pages. For procurement, see the Stainless Steel Scrap Supplier page.
Primary loading from Rotterdam, Antwerp. Weekly container sailings to Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
Buyers comparing austenitic grades typically review our stainless steel scrap guide alongside the dedicated 304 stainless steel scrap and 316 stainless steel scrap pages, then validate metallurgical specifications against our ISRI scrap grades guide.
Pre-shipment quality work follows the procedures in our scrap metal inspection guide, while shipping documents are prepared according to our European scrap export guide and routed through the stainless steel scrap supplier.
Send your quantity, destination port and Incoterm. We reply with a CIF/FOB offer, full specification sheet and export documentation list.
Contact our sales team for competitive pricing, bulk orders, and customized solutions.MOQ: 25 MT | Monthly Capacity: 20,000 MT