Aurubis’ $800M US Copper Recycling Plant: A Strategic Investment in Resource Security

The United States faces a growing challenge in securing a stable supply of copper, a metal critical to modern infrastructure, technology, and the burgeoning clean energy sector. With domestic demand soaring to approximately 1.8 million tons annually and roughly 50% of that amount reliant on imports, the nation is vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and price volatility. Enter Aurubis AG, Europe’s largest copper producer, with a bold $800 million investment in a state-of-the-art copper recycling plant in Richmond County, Georgia. This facility isn’t just a business expansion; it’s a strategic move to enhance U.S. resource security and establish a leadership position in the circular economy.

America’s Growing Copper Challenge

Copper’s importance cannot be overstated. It’s the backbone of electrical grids, a key component in electric vehicles (EVs), and essential for renewable energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, demand for copper is projected to skyrocket. Experts forecast a nearly 30% increase in demand over the next five years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that demand for copper will outstrip supply within the next decade. They estimate that by 2035, copper supplies will fall 30% short of the amount required to fulfill stated policy goals.

This looming deficit underscores the urgency of securing reliable copper sources. The U.S. currently imports about half of the copper it processes, creating strategic risks for industries ranging from electronics manufacturing to renewable energy development. This import dependence makes the U.S. vulnerable to geopolitical instability and market fluctuations.

Aurubis Richmond: A Game-Changer for US Copper Recycling

Aurubis’ $800 million investment in the Richmond, Georgia, facility represents a significant step towards addressing these challenges. The plant, which commenced operations in September 2025, is designed to process up to 180,000 metric tons of complex recycling materials annually. These materials include:

Printed circuit boards
Copper cables
Other metal-bearing products from consumer and industrial sources

From this waste stream, the plant will produce 70,000 tons of high-grade blister copper with 98-99% purity, along with valuable nickel, tin, and precious metals. The Richmond facility employs sophisticated processing technology to recover not just copper but also valuable nickel, tin, and precious metals from waste streams that would otherwise be lost. This multi-metal recovery approach maximizes the value extracted from each ton of processed material while supporting circular economy principles. Full operational capacity is expected by the first half of 2026, and when fully operational, the plant will represent one of the most advanced metal recycling facilities in North America.

Reducing Import Reliance Through Advanced Recycling

The Richmond facility’s 70,000-ton annual production capacity represents a meaningful contribution to domestic copper supply. When operating at full capacity, this single facility will offset approximately 7-8% of current US copper imports, establishing a more resilient supply foundation. This production comes at a crucial time as copper demand accelerates across multiple industries:

Grid modernization requiring vast quantities of conductive materials
Electric vehicle production consuming 2-4 times more copper than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
The expansion of data centers and AI applications

Aurubis has explicitly stated intentions to prioritize US customers for the copper produced at Richmond. This approach will help meet growing domestic demand while potentially offering more stable supply arrangements for American manufacturers facing increasingly competitive global markets for critical materials. The facility’s operational flexibility provides multiple market pathways:

Direct sales to US customers at competitive market rates.
Further processing through Aurubis’ international smelting network for specialized applications.

The Strategic Importance of Copper Recycling

Copper recycling offers numerous economic and environmental benefits:

Resource Preservation: Copper is a finite resource, and recycling helps conserve remaining deposits. Recycling extends the lifespan of existing copper resources and reduces the need for environmentally destructive mining.
Energy Efficiency: Recycling copper uses significantly less energy than extracting and refining new copper from ore. Recycling copper saves up to 85% of the energy needed for primary production. This translates into reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller environmental footprint. Savings in energy use are very substantial since this nonferrous metal requires up to 90% fewer energy inputs to process compared to newly mined copper.
Waste Reduction: Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Copper is highly durable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality or properties, making it an ideal candidate for recycling rather than disposal.
Environmental Protection: Mining activities for copper can lead to environmental degradation through soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat destruction. Recycling copper minimizes the environmental impact associated with mining by reducing the demand for copper extraction.
Economic Benefits: Recycling supports a thriving recycling industry, creating jobs in collection, processing, and recycling facilities. It also helps reduce the cost of copper, which is crucial for many industries, including construction and electronics, due to the reduced energy expenditure and mining costs.

The Circular Economy and Sustainable Practices

Aurubis’ investment in the Richmond plant aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Copper is particularly well-suited for a circular economy because it can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of performance. There is no difference in the quality of recycled copper (secondary production) and mined copper (primary production), thus they can be used interchangeably.

Aurubis is committed to reducing its carbon emissions as part of its sustainability efforts. The company aims to achieve a 50% reduction in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and a 24% reduction in its Scope 3 emissions per ton of copper cathodes by 2030 compared to a baseline of 2018. It aims to be carbon-neutral well before 2050.

Future Directions in US Copper Recycling

As the Aurubis Richmond facility reaches full operational capacity in 2026, its performance will likely influence further developments in US metal recycling infrastructure. Industry experts anticipate additional investments in this sector as manufacturers increasingly prioritize recycled materials for both sustainability and supply security reasons. The facility’s success may also accelerate technological innovation in metal recovery processes, potentially enabling even higher recovery rates from complex waste streams in the future.

Several factors make the US market particularly attractive for continued metal recycling expansion:

Growing waste streams: Increasing volumes of electronic waste and end-of-life products
Policy support: Renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and supply chain security
Industrial demand: Strong manufacturing base requiring reliable metal inputs
Infrastructure quality: Well-developed transportation networks and utility systems

These conditions create a strong foundation for continued investment in advanced recycling capacity, potentially establishing the US as a global leader in circular economy implementations.

Conclusion

Aurubis’ $800M US Copper Recycling Plant represents a strategic investment in resource security and a commitment to sustainable practices. By reducing import reliance, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting the circular economy, this facility is poised to transform America’s copper market dynamics and contribute to a more resilient and environmentally responsible future. The plant will process up to 180,000 t of complex recycling material annually and will be supplied locally, helping to keep valuable raw materials in the market.