Consumption Of Refined Copper Shapes In The United States

This table presents detailed data on the consumption of refined copper shapes by various classes of consumers in the United States, categorized by product form such as cathodes, ingot bars, slabs, and other shapes. This information is crucial for understanding the demand patterns within key industrial sectors, including wire-rod mills, brass mills, chemical plants, ingot makers, and foundries. Tracking consumption by shape and consumer class provides insight into the supply chain dynamics and helps stakeholders gauge the health of manufacturing activities that rely heavily on copper, a metal essential for electrical, construction, and industrial applications.

Analysis of the data reveals that total consumption of refined copper shapes increased from approximately 1,680,000 metric tons in 2020 to 1,750,000 metric tons in 2021, reflecting a growth of about 4.2 percent. Wire-rod mills remained the dominant consumer, with usage rising from 1,230,000 metric tons to 1,290,000 metric tons, indicating steady demand in the wire and cable manufacturing sector. Brass mills also showed a slight increase in total consumption from 413,000 metric tons to 415,000 metric tons, with consistent use of ingot bars and slabs. Other sectors such as foundries and miscellaneous consumers experienced marginal increases, while chemical plants maintained stable consumption at 240 metric tons. These trends suggest a resilient copper market in the U.S. manufacturing landscape during this period, with incremental growth driven primarily by wire-rod and brass mill sectors.