Steel scrap is any steel or iron that has finished its first use and is going back to be melted into new steel. Beams from a demolished structure, offcuts from a fabrication shop, old pipe, rebar ends, machine frames and car bodies all count.
Steel is recycled more than any other material, and a large share of new steel is made from scrap in electric arc furnaces. That steady demand keeps scrap steel moving, even though it pays far less per kilo than copper or aluminium.
Ferrous and non ferrous
Steel and iron are ferrous metals: they contain iron, and a magnet sticks to them. Copper, brass and aluminium are non ferrous and are priced separately. The quickest test in any yard is a magnet.
The grades you will hear about
- HMS 1 (heavy melting steel 1): thicker, cleaner steel, usually 6 mm and above. Plate, beams, heavy pipe and structural offcuts.
- HMS 2: thinner steel and coated steel, including galvanised and black sheet.
- Rebar: priced well when it is clean. Concrete still attached pulls it down.
- Cast iron: engine blocks, machine beds, manhole covers and old radiators. Heavy, brittle and priced on its own.
- Light iron: sheet metal, appliances, shelving and thin sections. The lowest grade, because it is light for its size and often has plastic or other metals attached.
International buyers often trade HMS 1 and HMS 2 mixed in a set ratio, which is why you will see prices quoted as "HMS 1&2".
Stainless is not steel for pricing
Stainless steel contains chromium and nickel, which makes it worth several times more than ordinary steel. The common kitchen and industrial grades, 304 and 316, are not magnetic or only barely, and that is how most people pick them out. Keep stainless out of the steel pile, or it will be paid at the steel rate.
What lowers the price of steel scrap
- Concrete, soil or wood attached
- Oil left in machinery or drums
- Plastic, rubber and wiring on appliances
- Closed tanks and cylinders, which have to be opened and emptied before they are accepted
Selling steel scrap
Steel is heavy and cheap per kilo, so transport matters more than with any other metal. A small amount is best brought straight to the yard at Musaffah M42. For a larger lot, send a photo and a rough weight on WhatsApp to +971 52 727 0105 and we will tell you whether a collection makes sense. More on grades is on the metal scrap page.
Common questions
What is the difference between HMS 1 and HMS 2 scrap?
HMS 1 is thicker, cleaner steel, usually 6 mm and above. HMS 2 takes thinner steel and coated steel such as galvanised sheet. HMS 1 pays a little more.
How can I tell steel from stainless steel?
Use a magnet. Ordinary steel pulls strongly. Common stainless grades such as 304 and 316 do not pull, or only weakly.
Why is steel scrap cheaper than copper scrap?
Iron is plentiful and steel is made in huge quantities, while copper is scarcer and costs more to mine. Steel scrap sells on volume, copper on value.
