Global Copper Scrap Market by Application (Wire Rod Mills, Brass Mills, Ingot Makers, Foundries, and Other Industries) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Copper Scrap Overview

Copper scrap refers to discarded copper materials that can be recycled and used to make new copper products. This includes various forms such as copper wire, cables, pipes, tubes, and other materials containing copper. Copper scrap is copper that has been processed for reuse. Scrap metal can be recycled and processed into new products or simply melted down to make copper wire. . Scrap copper, also known as secondary copper, can be divided into two main categories: new scrap and old scrap. New scrap metal is the copper metal that is discarded in the production and manufacturing processes and is generally considered to be a higher quality material than old scrap metal. Scrap refers to copper wire, copper pipe, roofing copper, or copper pipe from post-consumer products that can be turned into refined metals and alloys. The electrical and electronics industry is the largest user of copper scrap across the world. Copper plays an important role in EV technology and related infrastructure.

Global Copper Scrap Market Analysis

The global copper scrap market size was $xx million in 2022 and is predicted to grow with a CAGR of xx, by generating a revenue of $xx million by 2032.

COVID-19 Impact on Global Copper Scrap Market

Travel restrictions, lockdown measures, and temporary closures of industries affected the collection, processing, and transport of copper scrap. Industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing experienced slowdowns and temporary shutdowns, resulting in reduced demand for copper products, including scrap metal. The weakening economy and uncertainty also affected investment decisions, which affected overall copper demand. Disruptions related to COVID-19, including travel restrictions and border closures, affected the global import and export.

However, the lockdown highlighted the importance of sustainability and conservation of natural resources. As countries tried to recover from the crisis and move towards more sustainable practices, the principles of recycling and the circular economy began to be emphasized even more. This could have a positive impact on the long-term demand for copper scrap.

Growing Demand for Industrial Machinery and Equipment to Drive the Market Growth

The major driver of the global copper scrap market is the increasing demand for industrial machinery and equipment. Copper is an integral part of many machines such as turbines and engines due to its excellent electrical conductivity and high efficiency of heat transfer by conduction or radiation. Other factors include the rising need for new infrastructure networks (roads and pipelines) for construction and the increasing use of copper waste in the transportation industry. Governments worldwide are implementing stricter environmental regulations to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices. These regulations encourage the use of recycled materials, including copper scrap, in manufacturing processes. Copper scrap offers cost advantages over primary copper. Recycling copper scrap requires less energy and resources compared to primary copper mining and refining. This cost advantage makes copper scrap an attractive option for industries looking to reduce their production costs and environmental impact.

Pricing Uncertainty and Quality Concerns to Restrain the Market Growth

The price of copper, including copper scrap, is subject to fluctuations due to various factors such as global economic conditions. Fluctuations in the price of copper can affect the profitability and decision-making of market participants, creating uncertainty in the copper scrap market. Copper scrap competes with primary copper produced in mining and refining processes. Depending on market conditions, virgin copper prices may be more attractive in certain applications, which may affect demand for copper scrap. Copper scrap needs to meet certain quality and purity standards to be suitable for recycling and manufacturing. Contamination, such as the presence of non-copper materials, can affect scrap quality and value. Copper needs to compete with alternative materials in certain applications. For example, the increasing use of aluminum or fiber-optic cables may reduce the demand for copper-based cables.

Advancements in Infrastructure Development to Drive Excellent Opportunities 

There is a rising global emphasis on sustainable practices and the use of recycled materials. The copper residue is compatible with these sustainability goals because it reduces the need for primary copper mining and conserves natural resources. The rising demand for durable materials offers the scrap copper market an opportunity to expand its customer base. Infrastructure development and urbanization projects require significant amounts of copper for construction, electrical wiring, and piping. As many countries invest in infrastructure projects, there is an opportunity in the scrap copper market to provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly source of copper for these projects. Copper is a valuable component in electronic equipment and e-waste recycling can contribute to the copper scrap market expansion. Rising awareness of e-waste recycling and extraction of valuable metals, including copper, from discarded electronics offers opportunities for the copper scrap industry.

Global Copper Scrap Market Share, by Application, 2022

The wire rod mills sub-segment accounted for the highest share in 2022. Copper scraps are a valuable raw material in rolling mills. It is collected and processed to extract the copper content, which is then melted down and poured into wire rod form. Wires made from copper scrap are used in various industries to make different products. These wires are processed and converted into various wire products, including electrical wires, cables, wires, and other copper components. Copper wires made from scrap metal are widely used in electrical and electronic industries. They are used to produce electrical wires, cables, connectors, and components for various applications such as power distribution, telecommunications, appliances, and electronics. Strip copper wires are also used in the construction industry. They are used in the production of copper-based pipes, tubes, and other HVAC system components.

Global Copper Scrap Market Growth, by Region, 2022

The Asia-Pacific copper scrap market generated the highest revenue in 2022. The greatest market for copper scrap is in Asia-Pacific, which supplies a sizeable portion of the world's demand. The region has seen significant urbanization and industrialization in the last few years. The demand for copper and items made from copper, especially scrap copper, has surged as a result of these advancements. The consumer market for electrical and electronic equipment is sizable in Asia-Pacific. The need for copper and copper scrap in the region is rising as smartphones, consumer electronics, and appliances become more widely used. Construction, electrical and electronics, as well as the automobile industries, all have robust production bases in Asia-Pacific. To make wires, cables, pipelines, and other copper-based components, these industries need large amounts of copper. The demand for scrap copper in these sectors has made Asia-Pacific dominate the market. APAC has been proactive in promoting recycling and sustainability initiatives. Governments and industries in the region have established regulations and incentives to promote the recycling of materials, including scrap copper. The focus on sustainability and conservation of natural resources has increased the demand for copper scrap in the Asia-Pacific region.

Competitive Scenario in the Global Copper Scrap Market

HKS Scrap Metals B.V. offers waste and disposal services. The company provides modern scrap demolishing, fragmentation, sorting, and analyzing equipment to steel producers, foundries, and alloy producers. The head office of HKS is based in Moerdijk, South Holland. It has branches in Amsterdam, Amersfoort, Eindhoven, Hengelo, Zwartsluis, Moerdijk, Nijmegen, Middelburg, Geel (Belgium) and Dagenham (UK) and processes more than 1 million tons of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap. HKS uses the latest innovative techniques to achieve an extremely high level of recycling. Its aim is to reduce waste to zero.

Some of the leading copper scrap market players are Aurubis, Enerpat Group Co. Ltd., Commercial Metals Co. (CMC), European Metal Recycling (EMR), HKS Metals, Kuusakoski, Jansen Recycling Group, Mallin Companies, OmniSource Corporation, Olin Brass, and Reukema.