Buy the full study
Summary of our market study
The global copper market is showing a strong growth trend. It is estimated at 320.33 billion euros in 2023, with an expected jump to 454 billion euros in 2030, at an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.
French copper industry production of 941 million euros in 2023.
France, a major consumer, does not produce copper in the strict sense, but reprocesses copper ore imports and its own scrap.
The number of companies in the sector fell from 36 to 25 between 2016 and 2022, and the number of employees from 2,200 to 1,600.
Trends in copper demand in France
Significant demand for copper comes from the plumbing sector, which has held up remarkably well. Copper is used in piping for its malleability and resistance to corrosion. The plumbing market is now worth over 700 million euros, and further growth is expected thanks to government incentives such as MaPrimeRénov', which encourages renovations.
The telecommunications industry is one of the main drivers of copper demand. While the size of the telecoms market has remained relatively stable at around 31 billion euros, Orange's strategy to dismantle the copper network by 2030 in favor of fiber optics will affect copper demand in the long term. 80% of the French population now has access to fiber optics, and more than half have subscriptions.
Another booming sector driving copper demand is electric vehicles (EVs). Copper is essential in EVs, and the approximate mass of copper per passenger car is considerably higher in electric and hybrid vehicles than in conventional cars.
The electronics sector is a major consumer of copper: copper's high electrical conductivity makes it indispensable in the manufacture of a wide range of products, from smartphones to medical equipment.
In Europe, demand for copper is at the heart of the energy transition. Wind turbines and solar panels are major consumers of copper.
Recycling should make it possible to meet a large part of these future needs.
Industry players
- Nexans is a leading manufacturer of copper cables. The world's second-largest manufacturer
- Prysmian, world leader in copper cables
- Orange, the telecommunications giant, indirectly influences the copper market through its infrastructure projects.
- Codelco, Chile's national mining company, dominates the copper market.
- BHP the world's leading copper producer
- Freeport McMoRan, the world's largest copper producer
- China, leader in copper refining.
to understand this market
Detailed content of our market study
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update :
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
Copper is a chemical element (atomic number 29, atomic weight 63.55, symbol Cu), a light-red, fairly hard, very ductile metal.it is present in nature both in free form and as minerals (chalcopyrite, azurite, cuprite, malachite), and is present in trace amounts in soil, plants and animals .
It is one of the most widely used metals in the manufacture of containers, machinery parts, electrical conduits, coins and alloys such as bronzes and brasses. The global copper market was estimated at 320.33 billion euros in 2023 and is expected to reach 454 billion euros in 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1% over the period. Electrical and electronics, one of the key segments, will record a CAGR of 2.2%, reaching 11.3 million metric tons.
This metal has benefited from the rapid recovery of the global economy and its status as a key metal for electrification: its value approached the $10,000 per tonne threshold on the London Metal Exchange (LME) in 2022, and is still closing in on it in 2024, representing its highest level since August 2011. On the French market, the value of copper production fell from nearly 200 million euros during the pandemic to 700 million in 2020, before stabilizing at 1100 million euros in 2022, before recording a further decline of 160 million in 2023. It should be noted, however, that France has not produced copper in the strict sense of the word since 1998. What it does produce consists in manufacturing copper by-products from refined copper imports and recycling its own copper scrap.
France is a major consumer of copper, since its economy is dependent on it, and as a result has a very negative trade balance. Through secondary smelting, it produces only around 17% of its overall consumption.
1.2 A fast-growing global copper market dominated by China and Chile
According to GlobalData, Chile is the world's largest copper producer in ****, with production down *.**% on ****. Over the previous five years to ****, Chilean production grew at a CAGR of *.**% and is expected to increase at a CAGR of *% between **** and ****. Chile accounts for **% of world production, the other largest producers being Peru, ...
1.3 A slight dip in the French market that should not last
NAF code **.**Z covers companies in the copper metallurgy sector. This NAF code includes the following activities
copper production (***) production of copper alloys production of copper sheets, foils, rods, wires, profiles, pipes, etc production of copper tubes
Copper metallurgy market France, ****, in millions of euros Source: ****
Sales data for the copper ...
1.4 A resolutely negative trade balance
French trade balance (***) France, ****-****, in $ millions Source: ****
The chart reveals an upward trend in French exports of copper and its derivatives until ****, peaking at $*,*** million in that year, before declining slightly in **** to $*,*** million. At the same time, imports rise steadily from $*,*** million in **** to $*,*** million in ****, leading to a ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Typology of demand
Demand for copper revolves around several major areas of application, both domestic and non-domestic.
Copper consumption by sector World, ****, in Source: ****
In order of importance:
The consumer goods sector (***) Construction (***) Transmission and telecommunications (***) The industrial sector Transportation (***)
2.2 Demand for copper in the plumbing sector
The piping and fittings market holds up well, despite unfavorable macroeconomic conditions
Copper pipes are widely used in piping applications, thanks to their malleability and durability in the face of corrosion, heat and impact. They come in two types: unbleached copper, ideal for flush-mounting, and annealed copper, requiring visible fastenings. The ...
2.3 Demand for copper cables and wires in telecommunications
A driving force in copper demand
Size of the wire and cable and electrical installation equipment manufacturing market (***) France, ****, € billion Source: ****
The size of the wire & cable and electrical installation equipment manufacturing market in France grew steadily until ****, peaking at €*.*** billion. However, a slight decline is observed in ****, followed by a ...
2.4 The growing use of copper in electric vehicles
Copper is attracting growing interest as an essential material in the context of the energy transition. Indeed, the use of copper in low-carbon technologies, mainly in the energy and transport sectors, is greater than in more traditional energies.
Approximate mass of copper present per type of passenger car France, ****, in Kg ...
2.5 The benefits of copper in electronics
Copper is widely used in electronics for a variety of applications, including:
Printed circuit boards for electronic devices such as cell phones, computers and medical equipment. Electrical connections in electronic components such as transistors, capacitors and coils. Manufacture of cables and wires to carry electricity in electrical circuits and systems. High ...
2.6 European copper demand at the heart of the technological and energy shift to 2050
Europe's energy transition will be the main driver of growth in most base metal and silicon markets, which already include widespread uses.Aluminum and copper are widely used in the energy transition. By ****, Europe will require a new demand equivalent to **-**% of current consumption levels for the manufacture of electric ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Value chain
3.2 Companies and workforce: a market down to a handful of players
Growth in the number of companies in the copper metallurgy sector France, **** - **** Source: ****
Between **** and ****, the number of companies in the copper metallurgy sector in France fell significantly, from ** in **** to ** in ****, a drop of **.*%. This downward trend could indicate difficulties or structural changes in the industry. At the same ...
3.3 The essential role of traders in copper supply
Despite the importance of copper recycling in the French copper metallurgy process, traders are key partners for smelters.
Copper traders play a vital role in the entire supply chain for the red metal. Their primary mission is to optimize the flow of copper concentrates, while seeking to reduce the costs associated ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Offer typology
Which alloys for which applications?
Source: ****
Typology of copper by-products on offer
4.2 Rising copper prices: the clear cause of current copper price trends
Production price index for copper metallurgy France, **** Source: ****
The Producer Price Index for copper metallurgy in France showed a steady upward trend from January **** to September ****, rising from ***.* to ***.*. It then fell slightly until January ****, before rising again to ***.* in September ****. This overall upward trend suggests an increase in production prices ...
4.3 A potentially infinite supply of copper?
Copper: an infinitely recyclable material
Copper is a material renowned for being infinitely recyclable without altering its physical and electrical properties, offering a sustainable alternative to primary production. In France, two main processes are used to incorporate recycled copper raw materials (***): refining and smelting recycling. The former is little developed in ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Regulatory framework: safety standards
REACH regulations
The use of refined copper and its by-products in the manufacture of copper and copper alloy products is covered by the REACH registration process. It is important to note that copper and copper alloy products are not defined as a substance or mixture under Regulation (***). Thus, in accordance with ...
5.2 Legislation and draft legislation on copper recycling
Regulation of July **, ****
The European Union has established quality and processing criteria to enable copper scrap to no longer be considered as waste. These criteria are defined in a regulation published on July **. To be removed from waste status, copper scrap must meet specific quality and treatment criteria, notably limiting the ...
5.3 The problem of legislation on the use of copper in agricultural activities
The renewal of European approval for copper compounds, effective January *, ****, introduced a limit of ** kg of copper per hectare over a *-year period, regardless of intended use. This rule allows an annual average of * kg of copper/ha at the request of the marketer and subject to a favorable assessment by ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Positioning the players
Here is an almost exhaustive list of French copper smelters:
- BHP Billiton
- Aurubis (Richmond)
- Nexans groupe
- Silec Cable (groupe Prysmian)
- Reynolds Cuivre France
- Prysmian Group
- Lebronze alloys
- Nyrstar
List of charts presented in this market study
- Copper metallurgy market
- Growth in the number of companies in the copper metallurgy sector
- French trade balance (copper and copper products)
- Main countries of destination for French copper exports
- Main countries of origin of French copper imports
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Nexans completes the acquisition of La Triveneta Cavi, Italy's iconic cable company - 11/02/2024
- Nexans is a global giant in the manufacture of electrical cables.
- Triveneta Cavi, an Italian company specializing in low-voltage cables, is about to be acquired by Nexans.
- This acquisition should bring Nexans more than 800 million euros in additional sales.
- The deal will add four new sites to Nexans, which already owns three. Triveneta Cavi is present in 30 countries and has 700 employees.
- Worldwide demand for fire safety cables is expected to grow by +13% between 2021 and 2030.
- French plants account for 27% of the drop in electricity consumption in France.
Nexans strengthens its position in Morocco with a third plant - 14/12/2023
- Present in Morocco with two plants - one in Casablanca, the other in Mohammedia - the Nexans Group announces the construction of a third production unit by 2026.
- An investment of 100 million euros
- The future plant will develop the production of medium-voltage power cables. Over 200 direct jobs will be created.
Draka Comteq, a Prysmian subsidiary, closes its Calais site - 25/11/2023
- The Draka Comteq plant in Calais employs 82 people.
- The closure of the plant was announced on November 20.
- The plant's activity has decreased by 20% per year since 2022.
- Another Prysmian entity in Douvrin (Pas-de-Calais) employs over 350 people.
- The Prysmian group has over 50 countries, 112 operating sites and 29,000 employees.
- Prysmian Group sales exceed 11 billion euros.
Aurubis: victim of a massive metal theft | Metal theft at - 01/09/2023
- Aurubis is Europe's leading copper producer, producing around 1.1 million tonnes of copper every year.
- The company discovered significant discrepancies in its metal inventories linked to its recycling activity.
- An investigation has been launched by the German authorities.
Nexans invests in a third cable ship - 28/08/2023
- Nexans has announced a new cable-laying vessel for 2026 with a capacity of 13,500 tons.
- The vessel will be capable of laying four cables simultaneously.
- Nexans has signed a contract worth 1.7 billion euros, the largest in its history, with TenneT
- The offshore wind market is expected to represent a cable demand of 4 billion euros per year from 2023-2024.
- Nexans has been awarded a 1.43 billion euros contract for the EuroAsia Interconnector project.
Three groups vie for the title of top copper producer - 25/08/2023
- Codelco, Chile's national mining company, has dominated the copper market for years.
- It is about to lose its title as the world's leading copper producer to Australia's BHP and the USA's Freeport McMoRan.
- BHP could become the world's leading copper producer as early as 2024, following its acquisition of OZ Minerals and its copper mines
- Freeport McMoRan overtook Codelco last year with the start-up of a mine in Indonesia, but had to sell half of this asset for regulatory reasons.
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the copper market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
