Not all ferrous scrap prices the same way, even within a single yard. Steel scrap - largely MS and rolling grades - was trading between roughly ₹34.5 and ₹37.5 per kg in India as of early August 2026, while cast iron scrap sat lower, around ₹29 to ₹33 per kg, because the two melt so differently. For a business deciding what to prioritise - old cast iron pipes and machine housings, or steel offcuts - that gap in scrap steel prices is worth understanding before the truck arrives.
At MetalMandi, we make that comparison simple. We are a digital scrap marketplace powered by Attero Recycling, buying directly from businesses with no middlemen. Our app tracks live cast iron scrap and scrap steel prices per kg side by side, supports fast payments, and offers negotiation. We work with 550+ vendors across India, from small scrap businesses to large industrial suppliers.
Cast Iron Scrap vs Steel Scrap: Quick Comparison
Cast iron and steel scrap differ in their composition, properties, and market value. Cast iron is generally more brittle and contains more carbon, while steel is stronger and more flexible. The scrap rate for each also depends on grade, quality, demand, and current market conditions.
| Factor | Cast Iron Scrap | Steel Scrap |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon content | High (over 2%) | Low to medium |
| Melting behaviour | Brittle, lower melting efficiency | Melts cleanly, predictable |
| Typical rate (Aug 2026) | ₹29 - ₹33/kg | ₹34.5 - ₹37.5/kg |
| Main buyers | Foundries | Rolling mills, induction furnaces |
| Common sources | Pipes, engine blocks, cookware | Sheets, angles, structural offcuts |
What Is Cast Iron Scrap
Cast iron scrap is high-carbon iron that is cast rather than rolled, making it brittle and prone to cracking. It needs a foundry-grade furnace and doesn't blend into steel production like lower-carbon scrap.
Common Sources of Cast Iron Scrap
Old water pipes, manhole covers, engine blocks, machine housings and traditional cookware are typical sources, often uncovered during renovation or demolition work.
What Is Steel Scrap
Steel scrap covers low- and medium-carbon steel from fabrication, construction and manufacturing - the backbone of India's rolling mill and induction furnace supply chain, since it melts consistently and recovers well.
Common Sources of Steel Scrap
Factory offcuts, structural sections, sheet trimmings, rebar ends, and warehouse racking are common sources, along with manufacturing waste from auto-component and appliance units.
Cast Iron Scrap and Steel Scrap Price Today
As of early August 2026, cast iron scrap ranged from ₹29 to ₹33 per kg, while clean steel scrap traded at ₹34.5 to ₹37.5 per kg, with the national mixed-iron baseline near ₹33 per kg. Both figures exclude GST and depend on grade and location.
Which Offers Better Value: Cast Iron or Steel Scrap
With pure scrap steel price per kg, steel scrap usually wins - it has a larger buyer base across mills and less melting loss. Cast iron scrap still holds solid bulk value from demolition but expect a lower price per kg than clean steel in most conditions.
Factors That Affect Cast Iron and Steel Scrap Rates
- Purity and separation of cast iron from steel before pickup.
- Whether local demand is foundry-heavy or mill-heavy.
- Distance from hubs such as Mandi Gobindgarh and Ludhiana.
- Lot size - bulk supply typically negotiates a better rate.
How to Track Cast Iron and Steel Scrap Prices on MetalMandi
Cast iron and steel scrap are priced differently by buyers and based on melting behaviour, which is why scrap steel price per kg usually runs above cast iron. Knowing that gap, and separating material, accordingly, is a simple way to improve returns. MetalMandi app shows live rates for both grades, so a business can decide in real time which to move first. As the direct buyer, MetalMandi keeps the process - quote, pickup, payment - transparent and free of middlemen.
FAQs
Which offers better value, cast iron scrap or steel scrap?
Steel scrap generally offers better value per kilogram due to wider mill demand and cleaner melting. Cast iron scrap still holds value in bulk but typically trades below steel scrap rates.
What is the scrap price of cast iron per kg?
As of August 2026, cast iron scrap prices in India ranged roughly from ₹29 to ₹33 per kg.
What is the scrap steel price per kg currently?
As of early August 2026, clean steel scrap traded between ₹34.5 and ₹37.5 per kg in India, depending on grade and cleanliness.
What are the common sources of cast iron scrap?
Common sources include old water pipes, engine blocks, machine housings, manhole covers, and traditional cookware, often recovered during demolition or renovation work.
Why do steel scrap prices fluctuate more than cast iron?
Steel scrap is tied closely to mill production cycles, and alternative inputs like sponge iron, which change often. Cast iron demand from foundries moves more slowly, keeping its price steadier by comparison.
