Circular Economy
Much of the world has already committed to ambitious targets to meet climate goals. Undoubtedly, these commitments to decarbonization and electrification of developing economies will influence copper demand. Copper, with its infinite life cycle, is a truly circular material.
The global end-of-life recycling rate for copper is 40 percent. In addition, more than 30 percent of global copper demand is already met with recycled copper.
To meet growing global ambitions, recycling needs to complement primary metal sources. According to the World Bank, the low-carbon, sustainable economy—with additional renewables and electric vehicles, greater energy efficiency and electrification—will require a nearly endless supply of metals, both from responsible mining and recycling.
ICA supports measures ensuring the market acceptance of both primary and secondary resources. ICA members, together with copper fabricators and other partners, collaborate closely with global policy makers to remove barriers and create market incentives for the use of secondary raw materials to close the loop.
ICA members are using cutting-edge technologies and innovative recycling processes, such as introducing scrap metals into the smelting process to recycle valuable raw materials and enhance efficiencies. This includes recycling intricate electronic devices and other increasingly complex products.
State-of-the-art recyclers can recover 20+ metals from complex copper products and applications.
24 million tonnes
of copper enter the global urban mine annually
13 million tonnes
reach the end-of-life phase and become available for recycling
To fully use the potential of the Urban Mine, in conjunction with the circular economy, a combination of adequate local infrastructure, skills and market conditions is needed.
Circular Economy Resources
Filter Resources
LS MnM Inc. Contributes to the Circular Economy Through ESG Partnership with SK Networks
International Copper Association (ICA) member, LS MnM Inc., is promoting circular practices in South Korea…
No Resources Lost: The Circular Opportunity of Industrial Symbiosis
By working together, industries can reduce waste by finding applications for byproducts of production, or…
By working together, industries can reduce waste by repurposing or finding applications for byproducts of production....
Industrial Symbiosis: Copper Byproduct Iron Silicate Reduces Carbon Emissions in Construction Industry
Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis.
Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis....
Industrial Symbiosis: Reusing EV Batteries for Energy Storage Systems Can Extend Lifetime of Copper Applications
Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications.
Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications....
Press Release: New Research Reveals Opportunities for Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry
Industrial Symbiosis opportunities for the copper sector
Quantification through an LCA study and a market analysis for two opportunities ...
JX Nippon Mining and Metals Works to Build a Recycling-Oriented Society
International Copper Association (ICA) member JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation is committed to building…
Aurubis Plans First Smelter for Multimetal Recycling in the U.S.
International Copper Association (ICA) member Aurubis is expanding its international operations and building a new…
Circular Production Practices Advance Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry
ICA Members Rio Tinto, Aurubis and Boliden Take the Lead Industrial symbiosis, the concept of…
Copper Recycling
The Importance of Recycling During the past decade, strong growth in emerging economies, coupled with…
Circular Economy Cube Infographic
Copper is infinite & can be recycled with no loss of properties. A sustainable material pivotal to build the circular economy...
Circular Copper Recycling in China: Current Practices and Future Trends
China has announced its net-zero target for carbon emissions by 2060. To meet this goal,…
Commitment to the Circular Economy and Urban Mining Drives Copper Recycling in China
Sustainability is at the forefront of China’s plans. The 14th Five-Year plan outlines targets for climate…
Circular Copper: Building a Culture of Sustainability
With its infinite life cycle, copper is a truly circular material that can be recycled…
Circular Copper – Part 3
Join ICA and its members in building a culture of sustainability—without waste....