Copper Cathode Price in India Today

Copper cathode is the primary refined form of copper, produced through electrolytic refining with a purity of 99.99%. It is the fundamental raw material for copper product manufacturing, including wire rods, tubes, sheets, and alloys. India is one of the largest copper consumers globally, with demand exceeding 1 million MT annually.

The domestic copper cathode market is dominated by Birla Copper (Hindalco subsidiary), operating one of the world's largest single-location copper smelters at Dahej, Gujarat, with a capacity of 500,000 TPA. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), the only integrated copper producer using domestic ore, operates mines and smelters in Jharkhand and Rajasthan.

Copper cathode pricing is directly linked to the London Metal Exchange (LME), making it one of the most transparently priced industrial commodities. OfBusiness provides Indian manufacturers and fabricators access to competitively priced copper cathodes from domestic producers and verified importers, with complete documentation including assay certificates and LME registration details.

Copper cathodes are classified by purity and production method:

• Grade A (LME Registered): 99.99% Cu minimum. Registered on LME and accepted for delivery against futures contracts. Birla Copper's 'Birla Copper' brand is LME registered.
• Standard Grade: 99.97% Cu minimum. Suitable for most industrial applications but not LME deliverable.
• SX-EW Cathode: Produced by Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning from oxide ores. Common in imports from Chile and Zambia.

Specifications per IS 440 / ASTM B115: Cu: 99.99% min | Ag: 25 ppm max | S: 15 ppm max | Fe: 10 ppm max | Pb: 5 ppm max | Size: approximately 1000 x 1000 x 5-8 mm | Weight: 100-125 kg per cathode.

Quality is verified through spectrometric analysis, with buyers receiving assay certificates for each lot. OfBusiness ensures all cathodes meet Grade A specifications with proper test documentation.

Copper cathode is melted and processed into various downstream products serving diverse industries:

• Wire Rod & Cables (60%): Melted into CCR wire rod for power cables, building wires, and communication cables. Major consumers: Polycab, Havells, KEI, Finolex.
• Copper Tubes (10%): For air conditioning, refrigeration, and plumbing. Used by Mandev Tubes, Metrod, and other tube manufacturers.
• Sheets & Strips (8%): Rolled into sheets for electrical switchgear, heat exchangers, and roofing.
• Alloys (12%): Base material for brass (Cu-Zn), bronze (Cu-Sn), and other copper alloys used in engineering applications.
• Other (10%): Copper powder, electroplating, and chemical applications.

India's copper demand is growing at 6-8% annually, driven by power infrastructure expansion, urbanization, air conditioning penetration, and electric vehicle adoption. OfBusiness helps manufacturers secure reliable copper cathode supply at competitive LME-linked pricing.