Electric Motor Scrap Singapore

Why Electric Motors Are Worth Scrapping

Electric motors are one of the densest mixed-metal items we buy in Singapore. Inside the steel casing you have copper windings, an aluminium or steel housing, steel laminations, and often small bearings and terminal blocks. That copper content is what makes a motor valuable — even a mid-sized 5 kW factory motor can yield 4–7 kg of recoverable copper. We buy copper scrap in Singapore at LME-linked rates, so the motor valuation flows directly from current copper prices plus the steel and aluminium scrap content.

Molten Steel accepts electric motor scrap whole (un-stripped), partially stripped, or fully stripped into copper, steel, and aluminium piles. Whole motors are easier for sellers — no labour — but stripped copper pays the highest per-kg rate.

Typical Singapore Pricing for Electric Motor Scrap

Prices move with the London Metal Exchange daily. The indicative ranges below reflect April 2026 rates for loads delivered to our 170 Gul Circle yard or collected islandwide:

• Small motors (under 10 kg each) — approx. $1.40 to $1.80 per kg mixed, whole.
• Medium motors (10–50 kg) — approx. $1.80 to $2.40 per kg whole; stripped copper portion $8.00+/kg.
• Large industrial motors (over 50 kg) — approx. $2.20 to $2.80 per kg whole; graded by copper yield.
• Sealed / hermetic motors (fridge, compressor pumps) — lower rates, $0.90–$1.20/kg whole.
• Aluminium-bodied motors — slight premium due to recoverable aluminium housing.

These are indicative ranges only — copper markets move weekly. Call +65 9106 7577 or check our live scrap metal prices in Singapore board before loading up the lorry.

How We Grade Electric Motor Scrap

Grading is about estimating the recoverable copper-to-steel ratio without having to strip every unit. Our yard team looks at:

• Size and weight class — bigger motors generally carry a higher copper percentage by weight.
• Housing material — aluminium housings add value over cast-iron housings of equivalent size.
• Sealed vs open frame — open-frame industrial motors are easier to verify; sealed hermetic units are discounted.
• Copper visibility — if windings are exposed (broken casing) we can grade on the spot.
• Contamination — oil, bitumen, concrete, or burnt-out motors with melted windings are discounted.
• Volume — loads over 500 kg qualify for bulk rates and free pickup.

Preparation Tips to Maximise Your Payout

Sellers who do even light prep typically see 10–25% better rates:

• Separate large motors (>20 kg) from small ones — they price differently.
• Remove bolted steel brackets, pulleys, belts, and fan cages where practical — these only count as HMS weight.
• If you have the labour, strip the copper winding out of dead motors. Copper sold separately pays $7–$9/kg vs $2/kg for the mixed motor.
• Drain any residual oil and flag motors that were submerged or fire-damaged.
• Group aluminium-housing motors together — we can grade them faster.
• For big loads, palletise or cage. Saves crane time and qualifies for our top bulk rate.

Who Sells Electric Motor Scrap to Us

Typical sellers we collect from across Singapore:

• Factories & manufacturing plants decommissioning production lines, conveyors, CNC motors.
• HVAC and building services contractors — pump motors, AHU fan motors, cooling tower drives.
• Marine & shipyard contractors — vessel motors, bilge pumps, winch motors.
• Electrical rewinding shops clearing unrepairable units and old stock.
• Facility managers doing plantroom upgrades.
• M&E contractors on reno or demolition sites.

We also take motors pulled from scrap vehicles handled through our scrap car Singapore service and motors bundled with other industrial scrap metal loads. Pickup is arranged through our metal scrap collection Singapore team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you buy burnt-out electric motors?

Yes — burnt motors are still bought, but at a discount. Melted windings lose copper purity. Call us with approximate weight and we’ll indicate a rate.

Is it worth stripping motors before selling?

If you have labour available and volume, yes. Clean copper windings pay 3–4x the whole-motor rate per kg. For small quantities or one-off disposal, sell whole — the time isn’t worth it.

What’s the minimum quantity you’ll collect?

For free islandwide pickup we prefer loads of 200 kg or more. Below that, drop off at our 170 Gul Circle yard during business hours or combine with other scrap for pickup.

How are motors weighed and paid?

All motors are weighed on certified scales at our yard or the collection truck. Payment is same-day via bank transfer, cheque, or cash for smaller amounts. No invoicing games.