U.S. exports of copper scrap increased to a record 688,978 metric tons in 2003, a 35 percent increase over the 510,965 metric tons shipped in 2002, according to the latest data from the U.S. International Trade Commission.
China took about 70 percent, or 482,172 metric tons, of the total. Including re-exports, or scrap that was brought into the U.S., converted in the production process, then sent back out, about 79 percent, or 545,723 metric tons, went to China.
While 1995 exports were higher in dollar terms, copper scrap exports surpassed the previous record hit in 1995 when measuring by weight.
Exports were sharply higher in all subcategories of copper scrap in 2003. Refined copper scrap exports grew by 48 percent to 315,555 metric tons, copper/zinc base alloy scrap was 41 percent higher at 78,417 metric tons, brass scrap increased by 32 percent to 48,264 metric tons, and other copper alloy was up 20 percent at 246,742 metric tons in 2003 over 2002. Reuters