The use of Non-ferrous products is increasing globally, resulting in a supply shortage for the next decade. The world is inclined toward renewable energy, with growing demand for wiring metals that are good conductors of heat and electricity. Now is the time to focus on copper’s mining capacity and recycling technologies to avoid the shortage of copper.
Analyst Sung Choi reported that electrification of infrastructure and transportation can result in a rise of 53% demand every year by 2040. Supply would rise by 16% due to constraints in expanding existing copper mines or setting up new mines. There is a need for 5-14 million metric tons of copper to fulfill the demand by 2040.
The developed nation’s increasing investment in copper recycling. Few investment projects in the USA are:
Ames Copper Recycled Content Plant in Shelby, North Carolina:
Ames Copper plant is the first secondary copper recycling technology plant provided by a German base SMS Group that deals in metal equipment and technology. The plant can manufacture 50,000 tons of copper anodes using copper scrap and fines.
Igneo Technologies LLC in Savannah, Georgia:
Igneo will construct a secondary smelter with the investment partner Korea Zinc for the processing capacity of 90,000 metric tons annually in Savannah, Georgia. The production of copper foil for electric vehicles will start at the end of 2024.
The Aurubis AG Facility in Augusta, Georgia:
Aurubis AG is one of the significant copper recyclers globally. It announced an investment of $ 346.5 million for Aurubis Richard.
Wire Land Group’s Plant in Shelbyville in Kentucky:
Wire Land Group announced in 2021 that it would invest $ 100 million in a recycling project which can manufacture 100,000 tons of copper annually. The production process will start at the end of 2022.
Investment in recycling technology will decrease the cost of production and will increase copper supply.
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