Copper Cable Scrap Buyer Singapore

Molten Steel buys insulated copper cable in every common form: power cable, building wire, control cable, armoured cable, cable drum ends, and mixed cable from strip-outs. Unlike bare copper, insulated cable is priced on its copper yield, which is the percentage of the cable’s weight that is recoverable copper once the insulation and sheathing are removed. The higher the yield, the higher the price per kilogram.

This page explains how we grade cable by yield and what each grade is worth. For bare and stripped wire see our scrap wire recycling page; for copper pipe, bus bar, and sheet see copper scrap.

Copper Cable Scrap Prices by Yield

Cable grade	Indicative price	Typical examples
Copper cable, 75% yield	From $9.50/kg	Thick single-core power cable, large-conductor PVC cable
Copper cable, 45% yield	From $6.30/kg	Multi-core power and control cable, medium building wire
Mix wire, 35% yield	From $4.10/kg	Mixed thin wire, appliance cords, data and light cable
Armoured cable	From $1.20/kg	Steel-wire armoured (SWA) cable with steel armour intact
Lead cable sheathing	From $1.80/kg	Lead sheath stripped from older power cable
Bright copper (stripped)	From $16.20/kg	Clean, bare copper wire after stripping
Tinned copper	From $15.70/kg	Stripped tinned wire, marine and battery cable

What Copper Yield Means

Yield is copper weight divided by total cable weight. A 10 kg length of 75% cable contains about 7.5 kg of copper; the same weight of 35% mix wire contains about 3.5 kg. Insulation, fillers, sheathing, and armour all add weight without adding copper value, which is why thin multi-core cable is worth much less per kg than thick single-core cable even though it is all copper inside.

We grade by conductor size and construction, and cut sample lengths where needed to confirm. You don’t need to know the exact yield before you call. Photos of the cable ends (showing conductor size and the number of cores) let us give you a close indicative grade.

Should You Strip Cable Before Selling?

Sometimes. Stripped bright copper is worth around $16.20/kg, while 75% cable is worth around $9.50/kg. In copper terms, 1 kg of 75% cable holds about 0.75 kg of copper, worth roughly $12.15 once stripped. So stripping thick cable can add value, if you have the labour and a cable stripper. For thin multi-core cable and mix wire the copper fraction is small and stripping by hand rarely pays.

• Worth considering: large single-core power cable, in volume, where you already have a stripping machine
• Usually not worth it: multi-core control cable, building wire, data cable, appliance cords
• Never burn cable. Burning insulation is illegal in Singapore, and burnt copper is downgraded anyway.

See our guide on how to strip copper wire and the copper wire scrap types guide for more detail.

Armoured Cable and Lead-Sheathed Cable

Steel-wire armoured cable carries a layer of steel wire that adds a lot of weight, so it is bought as its own grade. Older high-voltage cable may also have a lead sheath; stripped lead sheathing is bought separately at the lead cable sheathing rate. If you are clearing old power cable, tell us whether it is armoured or lead-sheathed when you enquire so we can quote accurately.

How to Get the Best Price on Cable

1. Sort by type. Keep thick power cable, multi-core cable, mix wire, and armoured cable in separate piles or bins. A mixed pile is priced at the lowest grade in it.
2. Cut off plugs and fittings. Brass and steel connectors, lugs, and plugs lower the yield. Brass fittings can be sold separately.
3. Keep it dry and clean. Mud, water, and tape add weight we have to deduct.
4. Don’t mix in aluminium cable. Aluminium conductor cable is a different, lower-value grade.
5. Send photos of the cable ends with an estimated quantity on WhatsApp for an indicative quote.

Who Sells Us Cable Scrap

• Electrical contractors — drum ends, offcuts, and strip-out cable (electrical contractor scrap)
• Construction and M&E companies — cable from fit-outs and building strip-outs
• Factories and process plants — power and control cable from upgrades and shutdowns
• Shipyards and marine companies — tinned marine cable from vessel repair
• Demolition contractors — cable recovered during soft strip

Pickup is free for substantial industrial loads from sites, factories, and warehouses. Ongoing producers can have a scrap bin placed on site for cable. Smaller quantities are welcome as drop-offs at our 170 Gul Circle yard during business hours; we handle unloading and payment on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is copper cable scrap per kg in Singapore?

It depends on copper yield. 75% yield cable is from around $9.50/kg, 45% yield cable from around $6.30/kg, mix wire (about 35% yield) from around $4.10/kg, and armoured cable from around $1.20/kg. Rates follow the copper market and are for reference only.

How do I know what yield my cable is?

Thick single-core cable is usually high yield; multi-core and thin cable is lower. Send photos of the cut cable ends showing the conductor and number of cores, and we will give you an indicative grade. Final grading is confirmed on inspection.

Is it better to strip copper cable before selling?

For thick single-core power cable in volume, stripping can add value because bright copper is worth around $16.20/kg. For thin multi-core cable and mix wire, the copper fraction is small and stripping by hand rarely pays for the labour. Never burn cable to remove insulation.

Do you buy armoured cable?

Yes. Steel-wire armoured cable is bought as its own grade, from around $1.20/kg, because the steel armour adds weight. Lead sheathing from older cable is bought separately at the lead cable sheathing rate.

Do you buy aluminium cable?

Yes, but it is a separate, lower-value grade from copper cable. Keep aluminium cable apart from copper cable so the copper is not downgraded.

Can you collect cable from our site?

Pickup is free for substantial industrial loads, and we can place a scrap bin on site for ongoing cable offcuts. Smaller quantities can be dropped off at our 170 Gul Circle yard.