The material copper
Infinitely recyclable
Aurubis recycles and valorizes
Copper scrap arrives at our company in Olen and is processed in the production process, in order to achieve high-quality end products with 99,995% copper purity.
Copper is infinitely recyclable, which makes it so attractive. We attach the greatest importance to a green future for our planet. We are constantly optimizing our production processes, and therefore also the impact of our activities on the environment. Our role within the circular economy is decisive. Our products are fit for green solutions.
Copper: a unique metal
Copper is a metal that has been known to mankind for a very long time. People learned how to use and process it over 10,000 years ago. Metal objects made of bronze – a combination of copper and tin – were created during the Bronze Age.
The name “copper” comes from the Roman era, when the metal was referred to as “aes Cyprium”, meaning “ore from Cyprus”. This evolved into the word “cuprum”. The chemical symbol is “Cu”. Copper has its typical copper-red color in its pure and unalloyed state.
Copper is a metal that can be recycled as often as desired without quality loss. Recycling not only saves the energy that would be needed for mining and preparing the ores; melting down recycling material also requires less energy than metal production from copper concentrates.
Our modern life wouldn’t be possible without copper.
The increasing interconnectedness in our offices, growing demands on telecommunications, our extensive energy needs and high safety and comfort standards in today’s automotive engineering ensure a constant rise in copper demand. The average car contains about 25 kg of copper – luxury class models can have more than twice this amount.
Copper also has an established role in architecture and construction: apart from electrical wiring made of copper, copper pipes are used in our homes’ water and heating systems as well. Copper is often used for roofing and facades due to its good corrosion resistance and, last but not least, because of its attractive appearance.
Copper has a unique feature: after processing, it can be recycled very easily and endlessly, without losing any of its qualities. That explains why copper is sometimes referred to as “red gold”.
