What determines the copper price in scrap buying

The copper price per kilogram and per tonne depends on LME quotations, grade, purity and quantity. We explain what really shapes the rate for copper scrap and how to read quotations before you sell your material.

The copper price is one of the most frequently searched terms in the scrap industry — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. The short answer is: the copper price in scrap buying depends on the current exchange quotations (LME), the grade of the material, its purity and the quantity. The tonne price of copper on the exchange is a point of reference, not a ready-made rate for your scrap. This article explains what separates the one from the other.

LME quotations as a starting point

Copper is quoted on the London Metal Exchange (LME) as a contract for Grade A metal with a purity of 99.99%. That is the value of the reference commodity — homogeneous, remelted and of guaranteed composition. We show the quotations in PLN per tonne, with a date, on the quotations page. They are an excellent indicator of the trend: they tell you whether the copper market is rising or falling and help you choose a moment to sell.

Copper scrap almost never has the quality of exchange-grade metal. Between the quotation and the buying price lies a path — and that path costs money.

What separates a quotation from the copper buying price

Copper grade

Copper is a family of grades of differing value. Bright Millberry, matt copper heavy, contaminated Cu III unsorted and granules from cables all settle differently. You will find a full overview in the article on copper grades. The further a grade departs from the reference commodity, the greater the difference from the quotation.

Purity and contaminants

The same grade name can conceal different material. Lacquer, tin, insulation residue, oxidation or admixtures of other metals lower the yield of pure copper per tonne. That is why we price atypical material after spectrometric analysis — a handheld spectrometer is in use at every branch and lets us pay for the actual composition.

Copper from cables

With cables and wires what counts is the copper yield — how much pure metal is hidden beneath the insulation. Thin strand in thick insulation has a lower yield than a heavy power cable, so the price per gross kilogram of cable is different from that for clean wire.

Quantity and logistics

A regular, homogeneous stream of copper is processed more cheaply than small, mixed batches. For larger volumes we can take on transport ourselves when needed, and selling directly to smelters and foundries in Europe and the Far East shortens the resale chain — which works towards a higher rate for the supplier.

How to read the copper price in practice

Treat the quotation like a compass, not a price tag. Check the trend in the quotations, separate the copper grades before delivery and ask for a quote on the specific material. You will get the rate quickest by sending photos via WhatsApp — we will assess the grade and give you a price with no obligation.

Have copper to sell? Check the quote for your material — we pay for the exact grade, not for an averaged rate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a kilogram of copper cost in scrap buying?

We do not publish a fixed rate per kilogram, because the copper price changes daily with the LME quotations and depends on the grade (Millberry, copper heavy, unsorted) and the purity of the material. You will find the current point of reference in PLN per tonne in our quotations, and we will give you the specific rate for your material after photos or an inspection.

How much does a tonne of copper cost?

The indicative value of a tonne of copper is shown by the LME exchange quotations (in PLN per tonne, with a date). That is a point of reference for a reference commodity of 99.99% purity — the buying price for copper scrap is lower than it by the cost of bringing the material up to that quality, and depends on the grade and contaminants.

Why do you pay more for Millberry than for unsorted copper?

Millberry is clean, bright copper wire — the closest to the reference commodity, so the smelter recovers the most metal per tonne from it. Unsorted copper (Cu III) is contaminated and needs cleaning up, which is why it is priced lower. Separating grades before delivery genuinely raises the price you receive.