Commodity
Index-linkedBulk Copper follows a global index more than a boutique mill.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength40
Heat resistance55
Fire performance76
Insulation6
Workability88
Circularity78
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Copper non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Copper insulate?
Thermal mark 6/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~400 W/m·K.
What is the density band?
8.96 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: Chalcolithic / industrial electrorefining 1860s (Cyprus / global).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 78/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
1085 °C
heat 55 · fire 76
Prices are bands. A 2024 coil is not a 2026 contract. Labour and certification often dwarf the commodity.
Producers listed are landmarks for orientation, not a ranking or a procurement list.
Cost bands
Specified grade
PremiumTight chemistry, cleanliness or certification multiplies the unit price.
System
InstalledBoards, coats and labour dwarf kilogram prices.
Certified / medical / aero
HighestPaperwork is the product.
Trial / green route
PolicyLow-carbon or bio routes still trade on certificates.
Regions
East Asia
Volume production and finishing.
Europe
Standards (EN, Euroclass) and specialty.
North America
ASTM / NFPA language and large domestic mills.
Korea / Japan
High-spec sheet, fibres, electronics-adjacent ceramics.
Resource belts
Ore, plantations or energy that feed primary routes.
Global trade
Copper moves as coils, bales, boards or chemicals — check HS codes, not vibes.
Key numbers
8.96 g/cm³Density
~400 W/m·KThermal
A1 metalFire letter
6Atlas insulation
Producers
Codelco
Chilean state miner, the volume benchmark.
Freeport-McMoRan
Grasberg and Americas pits.
BHP
Escondida stake and Olympic Dam.
Southern Copper
Andes operations.
Aurubis
European smelting and recycling.
Jiangxi Copper
Chinese smelting scale.
Ask for the route (primary, scrap, bio) before believing a green label.
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