China's copper processed products output rises by 3%

The China Coloured Metalworking Industry Association, in collaboration with Beijing Antaike Information, has reported a 3% y-o-y increase in the output of copper processed products by major enterprises in 2023, reaching 20.85 mnt. This surge in production can be attributed to a rising demand for electrified vehicles, particularly driving the manufacturing of copper foil and copper strips.

According to the association's survey, copper foil experienced the most substantial growth, with production rising by 11.3% to reach 890,000 t. Within this category, electrolytic copper foil accounted for 875,000 t. Notably, production for electronic circuits decreased by 2.7% to 360,000 t, while output for lithium-ion batteries saw a remarkable 24.1% increase, reaching 515,000 t. Meanwhile, rolled copper foil maintained the same production levels as the previous year, standing at 15,000 t.

The output of copper strips recorded a 3.5% y-o-y increase, reaching 2.37 mnt. Within this category, oxygen-free copper products saw a notable growth of 10.5%, totalling 1,017,000 t and marking a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year. However, copper-based products (with a copper content ranging from 96% to 99.3%) experienced an 11.5% decrease, reaching 230,000 t. Brass products decreased by 1.3% to 770,000 t, while phosphor bronze products increased by 7.7% to 280,000 t. Nickel white products demonstrated a 4% increase, totalling 52,000 t, and other alloys saw a 5% growth, reaching 21,000 t.

The production of copper tubes demonstrated a 5.7% y-o-y increase, reaching a total of 2.24 mnt. Within this figure, pure copper accounted for 2,112,000 t, with a notable 10.6% increase in products featuring internal grooves, totalling 785,000 t. Additionally, finned tubes experienced a 5.9% growth, reaching 72,000 t, while light tubes saw a 3.1% increase, totalling 1.26 mnt.

In terms of alloy-based production, it amounted to 128,000 t. Among these, brass tubes decreased by 5.2% to 91,000 t, while brass tubes increased by 11.1% to 30,000 t. The production of other alloy-based tubes also grew by 3.5%, reaching 7,000 t.

Copper bus bar increased by 1.5% to 1,320,000 t. Copper rod saw a 5% increase, reaching 2.01 mnt, while copper wire experienced a 2.2% growth, totalling 10.49 mnt. Cast copper alloy production increased by 2.5% to 820,000 t.

Other products registered a 1.5% y-o-y increase, reaching a total of 710,000 t. Within this category, phosphorus copper balls grew by 0.8%, totalling 242,000 t. Copper powder experienced a 3.5% increase, reaching 88,000 t, and various other items contributed to the total with a combined increase of 380,000 t.

Note: This article has been written in accordance with an article exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.