Copper Scrap

Copper Wire Scrap – Grade A & Grade B

Cuprumex supplies high-quality copper wire scrap in two standard grades: Grade A and Grade B. Both materials come from verified sources, inspected loads, and consistent quality suitable for smelting and refining.

Grade A – Premium Quality

Grade A represents the highest standard in the copper scrap category. This material consists of clean, bright, unburned copper wire with a copper purity of 99.95%–99.99%. It contains minimal impurities and does not require pre-processing before melting.

Key features:

Bright and shiny appearance
Unalloyed copper wire
No burning, no oxidation
Impurities max. 0–2%
Suitable for direct smelting

Grade B – Industrial Quality

Grade B copper wire scrap is a more economical option. This material may include burned, darkened, or mixed copper wire with purity typically between 94%–97%. It requires additional cleaning or refining due to higher contamination levels.

Key features:

Mixed copper wires
May contain oxidation or burned material
3–5% insulation or non-metallic residues
Lower price range
Suitable for refining processes

Cuprumex ensures strict quality control, transparent documentation, and reliable

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION – COPPER WIRE SCRAP

1. COPPER WIRE SCRAP – GRADE A

Description: High-purity clean copper wire scrap, bright and unburned, free from coatings and excessive impurities. Suitable for direct smelting.

Chemical Composition (Typical)

Copper (Cu): 99.95% – 99.99%
Impurities: max. 0.5% – 2.0%
Moisture: 0%

Physical Characteristics

Unalloyed copper wire
Bright wire, no oxidation
No coating, paint, grease, rubber, or plastic
Wire thickness: mixed but generally ≥ 1 mm
Not burned or blackened
No mixed metals

Allowed Contamination

Maximum 1–2% insulation, dust, or non-metallic residues

Prohibited Materials

Burned wire
Iron, aluminum, or stainless steel
Excessive insulation
Mixed metals
Oily or dirty material

2. COPPER WIRE SCRAP – GRADE B

Description: Medium-grade copper wire scrap, may include burned, oxidized, or mixed wire with higher contamination levels. Requires cleaning or refining before melting.

Chemical Composition (Typical)

Copper (Cu): 94% – 97% (Some suppliers claim up to 99%, but the material is not bright and usually contains oxidation or residue.)
Impurities: 3–6%
Moisture: 0–1%

Physical Characteristics

Mixed copper wire (thin/thick)
May be dark, oxidized, or partially burned
May include lacquered or enamel-coated wire
May include small insulation residues
Mixed conductor types

Allowed Contamination

3–5% insulation, rubber, plastic, paper
A small percentage of dust or dirt

Prohibited Materials

Non-copper metals over 1%
Heavy oil contamination
Wet or muddy cargo
Excessive ash from burned wire

Based on current market data and industry standards :

Millberry (≥99% Cu)
- Premium grade, clean thick wire.
- Commands the highest price per ton because it requires minimal refining.
Berry (≈99% Cu)
- Clean, unalloyed copper wire and cable.
- Market value is almost equal to Millberry, often grouped together as “Berry/Candy.”
- Highly sought after by smelters.
Candy (≈99% Cu)
- Heavy copper pieces (bus bars, pipes, commutators).
- Price is comparable to Berry, slightly lower in some markets due to form factor.
- Still considered “No.1 Heavy Copper Scrap.”
Birch (94–96% Cu)
- Mixed wire with impurities (oxidized, tinned, alloyed).
- Classified as “No.2 Copper Scrap.”
- Lower price because it requires refining to reach higher purity.
- Typically sells at a discount of 10–20% compared to Millberry/Berry/Candy.

COPPER SCRAP TYPE

Copper wire scrap is not waste—it’s a strategic industrial resource. It is recycled into high-purity copper for electrical wiring, electronics, construction, machinery, automotive, and renewable energy, while also supporting sustainability and cost efficiency.

Copper wire scrap is widely used in industry because it retains its high conductivity, durability, and recyclability, making it a critical raw material for manufacturing and infrastructure.