2026: The Most Profitable Year for Copper Recycling

By 2026, global demand for copper is expected to reach a new peak, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, AI data centers, and power grid upgrades. Major investment banks forecast copper prices potentially exceeding $11,000 per ton, while stricter environmental policies in the EU, U.S., and China continue to limit primary mining. As recycled copper requires up to 85% less energy than virgin copper, recycled copper granules will become a core supply source for major cable manufacturers, such as Nexans and Prysmian, often at premium purchasing prices for high-purity material.

However, profitability in cable recycling no longer depends only on copper output. Modern cables utilize XLPE or PVC insulation, and impurity control significantly influences the market price. If plastic retains copper powder, its resale value drops sharply. Likewise, copper mixed with plastic cannot meet premium-grade pricing standards. Advanced recycling technology is therefore crucial to ensure 99.9% purity in metal and plastic separation.

Our fully-automated copper wire recycling line combines precision crushing with airflow separation and vibration screening, followed by an electrostatic separator to recover ultra-fine copper strands normally lost in traditional systems. This design maximizes copper yield while producing clean PVC/PE plastic granules. A dedicated pre-processing module removes steel armor and metal bands in advance, protecting cutting tools and reducing operating costs. The system also supports aluminum wire and copper-aluminum mixed cable recycling, ensuring profitable business continuity even as some industries shift toward aluminum conductors.

With copper granules selling for approximately $9,500–$10,200/ton and high-quality plastic granules achieving $500–$1,100/ton, a standard facility processing 1000 kg/hour can typically recover equipment investment within 2–6 months, depending on feedstock supply and copper content. As several countries move toward stricter export controls on “raw scrap,” domestic cable recycling plants equipped with clean, automated systems will gain a decisive advantage.

Contact our engineering team for technical advice, ROI analysis, or a factory visit. Upgrade your recycling line to secure premium markets and maximize profits in 2026 and beyond.

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