India generated 504,000 tonnes of end-of-life and process copper and alloy scrap, further supported by 214,000 tonnes of imported copper and alloy scrap | Photo Credit: Axe_Olga
Releasing its annual copper demand report for 2024-25, it said India’s continued emphasis on large-scale infrastructure projects, building construction, clean energy transition and emerging technologies accelerated demand for key industrial materials, with copper emerging as a critical enabler across these sectors.
Copper demand reached 1.87 million tonnes (mt), with building construction and infrastructure segments offtake drivers registering 11 per cent and 17 per cent year-on-year growth, respectively.
Automotive demand up 5%
The renewable energy sector achieved one of the highest annual capacity additions in 2024-25, while the consumer durables sector saw a 19 per cent increase, driven by strong sales of air conditioners, fans, refrigerators and washing machines.
Demand in the automotive sector was up by 5 per cent, with the electric vehicle (EV) segment, particularly two wheelers and three-wheelers, registering a 16 per cent rise.
The industrial motors segment posted a growth of 12 per cent, with higher demand for energy-efficient motors. Demand from premium residential, logistics, data centres and Grade-A offices along with infrastructure growth, led to higher consumption of wires, cables and transformers which together accounted for 43 per cent of the total copper demand.
Mayur Karmarkar, Managing Director, International Copper Association India, said, “India’s copper demand trajectory mirrors the country’s economic and industrial momentum. Policies aimed at promoting renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and infrastructure development have fuelled copper demand, emphasising its role as a critical resource for the nation’s growth.
Cathode output up 10%
“However, it is important to ask: Is the current pace of copper demand growth sufficient to meet the nation’s long-term Developed India (Viksit Bharat) @2047 agenda? To ensure future growth and resilience, India must proactively plan for building functional copper reserves and strengthening domestic supply chains.”
India must accelerate its copper adoption to build its in-use functional reserves or above-ground mines until the country reaches developed economy status. The role of end-user sectors, including infrastructure, clean energy and mobility, will remain central, but there is also a need to enhance domestic copper fabrication capabilities and promote import substitution strategies, he said.
On the supply side, domestic cathode production increased by 10 per cent, while net cathode imports declined by 34 per cent. The share of secondary (mostly direct melt) copper rose by 19 per cent, accounting for 42 per cent of total demand in 2024-25, up from 38.4 per cent in FY2024.
India generated 504,000 tonnes of end-of-life and process copper and alloy scrap, further supported by 214,000 tonnes of imported copper and alloy scrap, the report said.
Published on October 31, 2025
