Products
Most of copper produced is used by the wire and cable markets on account of the metal's electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Copper anodes
About 60% of copper produced is used for wires (including wiring used in buildings), cables and electrical connectors. About 20% of demand comes from the construction industry which uses copper to produce plumbing pipe and roof sheeting for its corrosion resistant properties.
Copper's thermal conductivity also makes it suitable for use in heat transfer applications such as air conditioning and refrigeration.
Copper is an attractive industry, with moderate concentration for customers and suppliers, high barriers to entry and a track record of high average profitability in the long term.
The key growth area continue to be the developing world, led by China and India, with their massive industrialisation and urbanisation programmes, and where per capita copper consumption remains substantially lower than that of the advanced economies of the US, Japan and Europe.
