The Price of Copper Per KG And The Market Forces That Effect This Price.

Copper is one of the most sought-after scrap metals. It's used in everything from the construction industry to electrical equipment like wires and motors. Due to its unique makeup, copper conducts heat incredibly well; therefore, it's used in a variety of industrial machinery as a heat exchanger. To reflect this usefulness, you should always expect to get a reasonable price for your scrap copper; however, like any other scrap metal, the actual price is subject to the whims of an ever-changing market. In this blog, we'll look at the price of copper per KG and explore some of the market forces that can affect its price.

Here at Limerick Metal Recycling, we understand you want the best possible price of copper per kg for your scrap. As of early 2025, typical prices for scrap copper in Ireland can range broadly from around €3 to over €7 per kilogram, depending heavily on its grade and cleanliness. For instance, high-purity, clean copper like Bright Millberry wire will always command a higher price than mixed or insulated copper. It's crucial to remember that these figures are indicative and can fluctuate daily based on global trends.

What Drives the Price of Copper Per KG?

The price of copper per kg isn't set in stone; it's a dynamic figure influenced by a complex interplay of global factors:

• Global Supply and Demand: This is the cornerstone of copper pricing.
  

• Demand: Rapid industrialisation in developing countries, a booming construction sector worldwide, and the ever-growing electronics industry all fuel demand for copper. Crucially, the global shift towards green energy is a significant demand driver. Electric vehicles (EVs) use significantly more copper than traditional combustion engine cars (an average of 83kg in an EV compared to 23kg in a conventional car). Renewable energy systems, like solar panels and wind turbines (a single wind turbine can contain up to 4 tonnes of copper) and upgrades to national power grids, are also highly copper-intensive.
  

• Supply: Copper mining can be affected by various issues. Disruptions in major copper-producing countries like Chile and Peru (due to labour disputes, adverse weather, or political instability), the declining quality of copper ore in established mines, and the long lead times (often over 15 years) for new mines to become operational can all restrict supply and push prices up.

• Economic Health (The "Doctor Copper" Effect): Copper is often called "Doctor Copper" because its price can be a surprisingly accurate indicator of overall global economic health. A rising price of copper per kg usually signals a strong or recovering global economy with increased manufacturing and construction activity. Conversely, a fall in price can indicate an economic slowdown.
  

• Currency Fluctuations: Copper is traded internationally, primarily in US dollars. This means that fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact the local price of copper per kg. For example, if the Euro strengthens against the US dollar, it can make copper cheaper for Eurozone buyers, potentially influencing demand and local scrap prices.

• Geopolitical Events & Trade Policies: International relations, trade tariffs, and political instability in key mining or consuming regions can create uncertainty in the market, leading to price volatility.

These prices were correct at the time of writing, but as stated, these prices are always subject to change. Please contact our offices directly for the latest information.