Copper supply is projected to fall roughly 30 percent short of demand by 2035, and new mines can take 15 to 25 years to reach production – meaning the primary supply gap cannot be closed through mining alone. As Europe works to secure reliable supplies of copper for electrification, investment in regional recycling, recovery and processing capabilities is gaining strategic importance. Copper is critical to power grids, electric vehicles, renewable energy and data infrastructure, and the need for greater sourcing security is driving efforts to strengthen secondary copper supply chains across Europe.

Building a dependable secondary copper supply chain requires collaboration across collection, processing, recycling and end users. From scrap collection and sorting to advanced separation, smelting and refining, each stage plays a role in delivering consistent quality and reliable supply to manufacturers.

However, translating scrap availability into qualified, competitive secondary copper remains a challenge. Recyclers must navigate feedstock competition, processing costs, quality consistency and customer qualification, while buyers require reliable specifications and long-term supply agreements.

Copper Recycling & Recovery Summit 2027 will bring together recyclers, smelters, technology providers, manufacturers, investors and policymakers to explore the technologies and partnerships shaping Europe’s secondary copper supply chain, from scrap recovery through to high-purity applications.

Hosted in the United Kingdom, the event will provide a platform for technical exchange, supplier engagement and commercial partnership development across the copper recycling value chain.