What do you currently get for a kilo of copper?
Depending on the type and degree of purity of the scrap copper, the price per kilo is between 3 and 8 euros. In our table you will find the current copper prices in euros per kilo.
Table of current copper scrap prices
| Art | Average price per kilo in euros |
|---|---|
| Copper Millberry = bare copper wire | 7.11 euros/kg* |
| Mixed copper | 6.50 euros/kg* |
| Heavy copper, Berry min. 98% Cu | 6.66 euros/kg* |
| Copper, bright II, candle | 6.98 euros/kg* |
| Copper-brass radiator, pure | 3.52 euros/kg* |
| Copper-brass radiator, affected | 3.08 euros/kg* |
* Prices depend on quantity and location. There is a possibility that larger quantities can potentially achieve higher prices.
The daily updates Scrap prices for copper are strongly influenced by the situation on the world market. Due to high demand, prices for copper scrap have risen significantly in recent years.
Political decisions or major crises such as the corona pandemic are also reflected in copper prices on the global market and lead to the usual price fluctuations in the metal sector.
A very influential metal exchange is the London Metal Exchange. The copper prices negotiated at the LME have a major influence on the scrap dealers' purchase prices.
Therefore, you should monitor copper prices regularly and sell your copper at a time when prices are high.
We'll give you more tips on how to get the best price with copper scrap further down on this page.
How much money will I receive for my scrap copper?
The value of copper scrap depends on the purity and condition of the material. That's why used copper is divided into different categories.
The high-quality Millberry copper has the highest degree of purity at 99.9 percent. A contaminated copper-brass cooler brings significantly less revenue when sold.
Overview of the different types of copper
Millberry copper (bare I)
Clean copper wires with a purity level of 99.9 percent belong to this category.
Copper Millberry comes primarily from electrical cables that have been carefully stripped by hand. Hence the addition “blank”. The copper cables must be in perfect condition. This means that the copper must shine in a red-gold color and be free of deposits such as insulation residue, solder or dirt.
But the extra work with the wire strippers pays off: you get a particularly high price for Millberry copper.
Copper candle (blank II)
This type of copper consists of 99 percent pure, bare copper. The copper waste usually comes from roofers, plumbers or heating engineers. During daily work, copper residues arise in the form of pipes, leftover pieces of rails and sheets or as waste from punching.
Heavy berry copper
Used copper, which already has a light black-greenish oxidation layer, belongs to this group with a purity level of 98 percent. However, there must be no build-up of paint or lubricants.
The scrap copper often comes from contact wires that are used to install overhead lines in rail transport. But even in craft businesses, old copper parts with corrosion residues often arise.
The heavy copper category includes large, connected pieces of copper such as rails, sheets and solid pipes. Industry particularly likes to recycle heavy berry copper.
Mixed copper raff
Even in this copper class, the degree of purity is still relatively high at at least 95 percent.
Kupfer-Raff consists of heavily oxidized copper parts that show clear signs of weathering. For example, used gutters and copper from demolition sites fall into this category.
In contrast to Berry copper, residues of paints, lubricants and solder joints may also be present here. Copper raff usually consists of a mixture of different qualities. Therefore, copper raff is the “residue category” in copper recycling.
Since mixed copper scrap must first be sorted before recycling, the revenue is significantly lower.
What are the current copper prices for cable scrap?
Cable scrap is mainly generated during renovation work on buildings. Often the old electrical installations are no longer up to date and need to be replaced.
But old copper cable rolls in the basement or warehouse can also be a real gold mine. In the past, installation cables were often manufactured with a copper content of over 70 percent.
These copper cables may no longer be laid as they no longer meet today's safety standards.
It's worth selling the old cables to a scrap dealer instead of simply throwing them away.
The amount of copper price that can be achieved depends on the copper content in the cables to be sold. The copper content is always calculated as a percentage of the total weight.
In addition, the condition of the cables also plays a very important role. If you have leftover new copper cables and they have been completely stripped by hand, you may be able to sell the scrap cables for a very good price Mullberry copper sell.
In the table below you will find a current price overview for old copper cables.
Overview of copper prices for cable scrap
The prices for copper cables always depend on the condition and quantity of the material delivered. As a rule, scrap dealers offer better purchasing prices for larger batches.
It may therefore be worthwhile to collect cable scrap over a longer period of time as long as this does not incur additional storage costs.
Table of current scrap prices for cable scrap
| Copper content | Condition | Average price per kilo in euros |
|---|---|---|
| 99.9 percent of the total weight | Peeled copper wire without insulation, Millberry copper | about 7 euros |
| At least 90 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 3.50 to 6 euros |
| At least 80 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 3 to 5 euros |
| At least 70 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 2.50 to 4.80 euros |
| At least 60 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 2 to 3.70 euros |
| At least 50 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 1.70 to 2.50 euros |
| At least 40 percent of the total weight | Clean, uncoated copper wire, not tinned | approx. 1.50 to 2.60 euros |
| Copper cable with plug | Copper content must be at least 40 percent and does not need to be stripped | approx. 50 cents to 1.40 euros |
| Lead-copper cable | The cable's copper core is encased in lead; free of lubricants | about 30 cents to 40 cents |
How are the prices for copper scrap developing?
Traditionally, copper prices always depend on supply and demand. But events such as the Corona crisis and political decisions can also impact copper prices.
Price development for copper in recent years
Since the construction industry is one of the main buyers of copper, the price of copper depends very much on global construction activity. If the construction industry is doing well, the demand for copper also increases, which drives up the price of copper.
In 2015, however, construction activity in industrialized countries stagnated, leading to a price decline of 19.7 percent. This trend continued in 2016.
Many industry insiders probably remember the strike at the Minera Escondida mine in the USA, which led to a significant supply shortage of copper on the global market in 2017. As a result, the price of copper surprisingly rose by around 27 percent.
The copper industry has weathered the corona pandemic relatively well compared to other raw material markets. It was even one of the big winners when the global economy began to recover after the crisis: the price of copper jumped by more than 50 percent.
According to Forecast from Statista the copper price will remain at a high level in the future.
Overview of copper prices from 2014
| Year | Average price per kilo in euros |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6.25 euros/kg |
| 2015 | 5.02 euros/kg |
| 2016 | 4.43 euros/kg |
| 2017 | 5.62 euros/kg |
| 2018 | 5.95 euros/kg |
| 2019 | 5.47 euros/kg |
| 2020 | 5.62 euros/kg |
| 2021 | 8.49 euros/kg |
| 2022 | 8.03 euros/kg |
| 2023 | 7.74 euros/kg |
| 2024* | 7.29 euros/kg |
* Forecast
Will the price of copper continue to rise?
New copper production in the largest producing countries Chile, Indonesia and Panama repeatedly suffers from weather-related operational disruptions such as droughts or persistent rain.
Recycling copper scrap can partially offset these fluctuations in available copper on the global market. Nevertheless, there was a copper supply deficit of around 431,000 tons in 2022. This shows that the demand for the raw material copper significantly exceeds the supply.
Despite increasing copper mine production by 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2023, production difficulties in Chile, Indonesia and Panama are slowing the global increase in copper production.
This difference between demand and supply has led to rising copper prices on the global market in recent years. Of course, scrap dealers were also able to benefit from this development.
The experts of the IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG assume that copper prices will continue to develop positively.
The demand for copper is expected to continue to increase in the coming years. The global increase in construction activity will significantly increase the need for copper in the construction industry.
In addition to the construction sector, copper is needed to expand e-mobility and renewable energies as part of the energy transition.
Due to this constantly increasing demand for copper, it is worthwhile to collect and recycle scrap copper.
Overall, scrap prices for copper are expected to remain at a very high level over the next few years and could even continue to rise.
How big is the demand for copper?
According to a survey by Statista, copper consumption in Europe totaled around 3.8 million tons in 2021. Around 26 million tons of copper were consumed worldwide in one year.
Approximately 9 million tons of copper are recovered from copper scrap every year through recycling.
Tips for collecting and selling copper
- Gather knowledge: Before you start collecting and selling copper, you should thoroughly research the different types of copper scrap, its prices, and current market trends. The better you understand the material, the more efficiently you can collect and sell it.
- Sorting and separating: Copper scrap can have different qualities which affect the selling price. Separate the copper by type (e.g. bare copper, copper cables, copper coils) and purity (e.g. descaled copper, mixed alloys). This allows you to get better prices for high quality copper.
- Efficient collection: Identify sources where you can find copper scrap, such as: E.g. electrical appliances, cables, pipes, construction sites or scrap yards. Be sure to not only collect copper, but also separate other materials to maximize value.
- Safe storage: Store the collected copper scrap in a safe place to avoid theft or damage. Unfortunately, copper theft is a problem, so make sure your warehouse is securely locked. If possible, install security measures such as cameras or fences.
- Market research: Copper prices can fluctuate greatly. Keep up to date with current market prices to know the best time to sell. Online platforms, scrap yards and dealers can help you find out the current prices.
How do I recognize copper?
The reddish copper is a soft, non-magnetic heavy metal. Copper reacts with the oxygen in the air and then turns a bluish-green color. This patina protects copper from further corrosion.
Where is copper used?
Due to its very good thermal and electrical conductivity, copper is one of the most sought-after raw materials worldwide.
Copper is primarily used in electrical engineering to produce power cables and broadband network cables.
Another important place of use for the raw material copper is the construction industry. Because copper forms a protective layer over time through oxidation that protects against further corrosion, it is very durable. This makes copper the ideal material for pipes and gutters.
In addition to industry, copper is also used in art. For example, the world famous statue of Liberty encased in copper in New York.
How do I get the best price for copper from a scrap dealer?
1. Regularly monitor the price of copper because, as an exchange-traded commodity, it is subject to daily fluctuations. Sell at a time when the price of copper is high.
2. Get multiple comparative offers. You can sell copper both online and at a local scrap dealer. If you only want to sell small quantities of copper, small scrap dealers often pay better prices than wholesalers.
3. Since the price of copper depends on the quantity sold, it is worthwhile for companies and scrap collectors to wait until a large amount of copper scrap has accumulated. However, any storage costs must also be taken into account.
4. Some scrap dealers pay for copper scrap not only by weight, but also by quantity. This pricing can be interesting for smaller quantities.
5. Sort your copper scrap according to the above Categories and remove as much foreign matter as possible, such as insulation. This allows you to increase the price of copper.
