"The global Copper Scrap Market was valued at USD 75.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 156.21 billion by 2034 at a 8.43% CAGR."
"Sustainability and Circular Economy Drive Copper Scrap Market Growth: A Look at Key Trends and Future Opportunities"
Market Introduction and Overview
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The Copper Scrap Market is expanding as industries worldwide prioritize resource efficiency, cost control, and sustainable practices. Copper scrap—collected from decommissioned electrical wiring, plumbing, vehicles, and electronics—serves as a reliable and high-quality alternative to newly mined copper, given copper’s ability to retain its physical and chemical properties through multiple recycling cycles. The energy required to recycle copper is much lower than that needed for primary production, which helps manufacturers reduce their environmental impact. Increased focus on electrification, renewable energy, and green construction is driving the use of copper in new infrastructure, while also generating more scrap for recycling as old systems are replaced.
The market is influenced by technological advances in automated sorting, shredding, and refining, which improve both the efficiency and quality of recycled copper. Regional trends show Asia-Pacific as a major consumer and recycler, while North America and Europe benefit from well-established collection and processing networks. Supply and demand are closely linked to copper prices; when prices are high, scrap collection and recycling become more profitable, stimulating activity across the value chain. Meanwhile, investments in modern recycling facilities and stronger collaborations between metal producers, recyclers, and OEMs are making the supply of recycled copper more stable and responsive to changing industrial needs. Regulatory initiatives around circular economy principles and responsible sourcing further support growth in the copper scrap market.
Key Takeaways
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Copper scrap maintains its quality and can be recycled indefinitely, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to primary copper for manufacturers in electrical, automotive, and construction sectors.
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Modern sorting and processing technologies—such as robotics and sensor-based systems—help increase recovery rates, ensure high purity, and lower operating costs for recyclers.
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Fluctuating copper prices impact the economics of scrap collection and recycling, with higher prices encouraging greater recovery and lower prices potentially reducing collection efforts.
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Growth in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electronics increases both the demand for copper and the supply of post-consumer scrap as older systems are phased out.
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Asia-Pacific leads in copper scrap consumption and processing, supported by robust manufacturing and infrastructure development, while North America and Europe continue to invest in efficient recycling systems.
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Major metals companies are expanding their recycling capabilities to secure stable feedstock, manage supply chain risks, and offer sustainable materials to customers.
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Regulations supporting circular economy practices are encouraging traceability, responsible sourcing, and modernization of scrap collection and processing facilities.
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A diverse mix of scrap sources—including wire, tubing, and electronic components—broadens market opportunities and enables recyclers to capture value from multiple waste streams.
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Closer collaboration between product designers, manufacturers, and recyclers is making products easier to dismantle and recycle at end-of-life, improving material recovery rates.
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Future demand for copper scrap will be sustained by large-scale infrastructure projects, ongoing electrification trends, and upgrades in telecommunications and data center networks.
Competitive Landscape and Key Strategies
The competitive landscape of the Copper Scrap Market is highly fragmented, with a mix of global players and regional recyclers. Leading companies are focusing on expanding their recycling capacity and investing in advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of their operations. Key strategies include vertical integration, where companies control both the collection of copper scrap and the production of recycled copper, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality material. Many companies are also forming partnerships with industries that generate large volumes of scrap, such as construction and electronics, to secure a reliable feedstock for their recycling operations.
In addition to technological innovation, sustainability is a major focus for companies in the copper scrap market. Leading players are emphasizing their environmental contributions, highlighting the carbon savings and resource conservation associated with copper recycling. This aligns with the growing demand for sustainable materials from industries such as automotive and electronics, which are under pressure to reduce their environmental impact. By positioning themselves as leaders in the circular economy, top players are strengthening their competitive advantage and capturing a larger share of the growing copper scrap market.
Market Players
1. Aurubis AG
2. Sims Metal Management Ltd.
3. Chiho Environmental Group
4. European Metal Recycling (EMR)
5. OmniSource LLC
6. Kuusakoski Group Oy
7. Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.
8. Commercial Metals Company
9. TSR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG
10. Global Metals Holdings Ltd.
11. American Iron & Metal (AIM) Group
12. SA Recycling LLC
13. Reukema Recycling
14. Mallin Companies
15. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.
Market Segmentation
by Product type
- Metallurgical Grade
- Chemical Grade
by Grade
- 553 GRADE
- 441 GRADE
- 3303 GRADE
- 2202 GRADE
- Others
by End-user
- Aluminum Alloys
- Semiconductors
- Solar Panels
- Silicones
- Others
By Geography
- North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
- Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Rest of APAC)
- The Middle East and Africa (Middle East, Africa)
- South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SCA)
Recent Developments
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July 2025 – Aurubis AG announced the expansion of its copper scrap recycling plant in Germany, aiming to boost capacity and support the circular economy amid rising demand for sustainable materials.
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June 2025 – Commercial Metals Company (CMC) secured new supply agreements with electronics manufacturers to recycle copper scrap from end-of-life devices, strengthening its raw material sourcing.
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May 2025 – Chiho Environmental Group launched an upgraded copper scrap processing facility in Southeast Asia, focusing on higher efficiency and compliance with environmental standards.
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April 2025 – Global copper prices saw increased volatility due to supply chain disruptions, prompting recyclers and manufacturers to intensify efforts to secure reliable copper scrap sources.
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FAQ's
The Global Copper Scrap Market is estimated to generate USD 75.4 billion in revenue in 2025.
The Global Copper Scrap Market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.43% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.
The Copper Scrap Market is estimated to reach USD 156.2 billion by 2034.
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