Domestic Copper Consumption Grows

Published July 11, 2001

The domestic consumption of copper and copper alloy mill products reached a record 9,551 million pounds last year, a 4.2 percent increase from 1999’s level, the fifth straight year of record growth.

Further, exports of mill products grew, up 11.3 percent at 890 million pounds, versus imports of 1,380 million pounds, an increase of 24 percent the previous year.

Electrowon copper production was down 3.4% at 1,248 million pounds, while smelter production at 2,202 million pounds represented a decline of 23.0%. Total production of refined copper at 3,975 million pounds was 20.8% behind the previous year, and consumption of refined copper at 6,487 million pounds was down 0.4%. The direct consumption of scrap was up 0.8% at 2,422 million pounds.

Building construction continued to be the largest end-use market for copper products, accounting for nearly two-fifths, 39.1%, of total U.S. consumption. Electrical and electronic products accounted for 27.6% of total usage; transportation equipment, 11.5%; industrial machinery and equipment, 10.6%; and consumer and general products, 11.2%.
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