Presentations

Abstract

"For the European market, copper recycling is the cornerstone of strategic autonomy and circularity. However, we must prioritize the rational use of copper scrap, placing it where it adds the most value rather than chasing ""100% recycled"" labels. Due to technological and manufacturing constraints, certain high-purity applications cannot rely solely on secondary materials, making a blanket ""recycled content"" approach sometimes limited or impractical. Because recycling alone cannot sustain growing global demand or achieve total sector neutrality, true copper decarbonization must be a two-fold strategy. It requires treating electrified primary extraction as an indispensable partner to recycling. By decarbonizing the production of ""new"" copper and optimizing the flow of scrap, the industry can move beyond myths toward a holistic approach that ensures both material performance and a net-zero future."