“While it’s by no means a new material, copper is becoming increasingly valued in new applications,” explains Ben Smye, head of growth at Matmatch. “One of the biggest drivers of this interest is the focus on sustainability in many industries. Copper is endlessly recyclable, making it a more versatile alternative to other metals. This recyclability doesn’t come at the cost of performance either; the metal is resilient, durable and long-lasting.
“There are several obvious reasons why copper demand is growing,” he adds. “For example, as more electronic devices are produced every year, an increasing quantity of copper is required to create components. In fact, the Copper Alliance reports that a single tonne of copper is critical in powering 60,000 mobile phones or supplying power to 30 homes.
“However, it is more specialised applications, such as in medical equipment – due to copper’s antibacterial properties – which present the greatest opportunity to copper suppliers. Our e-book draws attention to some of these areas and explains how suppliers can leverage online platforms to sell into these newer markets.”
Matmatch is no stranger to the copper industry, or the markets that it serves. Since launching in late 2017, the material database has grown to include over 9,000 types of copper and copper alloys from suppliers around the world, including Goodfellow, KME and Columbia Metals.
In addition to the e-book, Matmatch has published numerous online resources about copper and its role in industry. These resources further explore specific applications, such as in the electric vehicle market, where copper-powered photovoltaic cells provide energy to the vehicle.
‘Industry in focus: Copper’ is available to download for free from Matmatch’s website
