Low-Carbon Copper Market Report 2026

The low-carbon copper market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $84.47 billion in 2025 to $92.94 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global copper demand, growth in construction activities, rising use of copper in power infrastructure, development of electrolytic refining technologies, availability of recycled copper sources.

The low-carbon copper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $133.84 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, rising investments in low-carbon manufacturing, expansion of smart grid infrastructure, growing regulatory pressure on emission reduction, increased adoption of circular economy practices. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of low-emission copper production methods, rising use of recycled copper inputs, growing integration of renewable energy in copper processing, expansion of traceable and certified copper supply chains, enhanced focus on energy-efficient refining.

The growth of the low-carbon copper market is anticipated to be driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors and operate using energy stored in rechargeable batteries or other storage devices. The rising popularity of EVs is attributed to factors such as the growing interest in sustainable transportation, environmental concerns, and cost-effective ownership. Low-carbon copper plays a significant role in reducing the lifecycle emissions of EVs, making them more appealing to consumers and aligning with sustainability goals. For instance, data from July 2023 by the International Energy Agency reveals a surge in electric car sales in the first quarter of 2023, with over 2.3 million units sold, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. Projections indicate an estimated 14 million sales by the end of 2023, demonstrating a 35% year-over-year surge and highlighting the impact of EV adoption on the low-carbon copper market.

Major companies operating in the low carbon copper market are developing advanced solutions such as low carbon footprint copper products to drive revenues in the market. Low carbon footprint copper products are produced with significantly minimized CO₂ emissions across the production process, typically through mine electrification, use of renewable energy, and increased reliance on recycled feedstocks, creating a sustainable alternative to conventionally refined copper. For instance, in November 2025, multiple major copper producers commercially launched verified low carbon copper products with a carbon intensity benchmark of approximately 1.5 kg CO₂e per kilogram, representing roughly a 67 % reduction versus the global industry average and establishing a new, tiered commodity market for low carbon critical metals. This commercially launched low carbon copper product has begun to influence supply chain procurement decisions in the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors by providing a verified benchmark for embodied carbon that directly supports Scope 3 emissions reduction targets.

In September 2024, Schneider Electric S.E., a France-based provider of energy management, industrial automation, and digital transformation solutions, formed a strategic partnership with Glencore plc to advance decarbonization and circularity in Glencore’s copper supply chain. Through this collaboration, Schneider Electric aims to help Glencore reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and increase the use of recycled-content copper products, supporting sustainability and lower carbon intensity across the copper value chain. Glencore plc is a Switzerland-based global diversified natural resources company and one of the world’s largest copper producers, supplying copper essential for electrification and low-carbon infrastructure applications.

Major companies operating in the low-carbon copper market are Jiangxi Copper Corporation, BHP Group, Rio Tinto Plc, Vale S.A., Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Glencore Plc, Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Codelco, Aurubis AG, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Teck Resources Limited, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Antofagasta Plc, Boliden Group, Taseko Mines Ltd., Luvata Company Ltd., Elcowire Group, Fedral Metal Co., ASM Metal Recycling Ltd., Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the low-carbon copper market in 2025. The regions covered in the low-carbon copper market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the low-carbon copper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The low-carbon copper market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as production, supply of recycled copper products, and development. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The low-carbon copper market also includes sales of copper powders, alloys, and copper products from recycled materials. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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