Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Copper

Copper (Cu) is a medium-criticality base metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Copper is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Copper span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Electrical wiring and power cables — Copper plays a vital role in electrical wiring and power cables, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Electric vehicle motors and wiring — Copper plays a vital role in electric vehicle motors and wiring, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Plumbing and piping — Copper plays a vital role in plumbing and piping, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Renewable energy systems — Copper plays a vital role in renewable energy systems, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Electronics and circuit boards — Copper plays a vital role in electronics and circuit boards, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Copper is electrical wiring and power cables, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is electric vehicle motors and wiring, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Copper in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of medium and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Copper is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.