Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Copper was the first metal to be mined and its significance has increased with time due to its usage in various sectors. Being an excellent conductor of electricity, it forms an essential component of energy-efficient generators, transformers, motors and renewable energy production systems.
The most favorable contributing factors for the growth of Indian Copper industry include changes in global usage, industrial development in India, and domestic increases in the construction, power and telecommunications, and automobile sectors. The size of Indian Copper Industry is around 4 lakh tons, which as percentage of world copper market is 3%.India is among top 20 major producers copper globally. But falling prices of copper in international markets would also benefit India, as it is one of the world’s biggest importers of the metal, alongside China, Japan, South Korea and Germany. India is emerging as net exporter of copper from the status of net importer on account of rise in production by three companies.
Copper goes into various uses such as building, cabling for power and telecommunications, automobiles etc. The two major states owned telecommunications service providers namely the BSNL and MTNL have consumed 10% of the country's copper production. In 2012, India's production of refined copper is 689,312 MT, which is around 4% of the total world production.
From the status of a net importer, India is emerging as a net exporter of copper on account of a rise in the production of copper. Growing trend in the building construction and automobile sector is expected to keep demand of copper high.
Leading Copper Industries
• Sterlite Industries Ltd.
• Hindalco Industries
• Hindustan Copper
Demand : Past & Future
Year th MT
2000-01 288
2001-02 315
2002-03 397
2003-04 415
2004-05 438
2005-06 486
2006-07 545
2007-08 616
2008-09 702
2009-10 807
2010-11 896
2011-12 967
2012-13 1044
2013-14 1127
2014-15 1217
2019-20 1787
Market Structure:
Market Segmentation
Segment Share (%)
Electrical Industry 32
Electronics & Communications 20
Handicrafts 12
Process & General 10
Transport 10
Construction 7
Consumer durables 7
Market Growth Rates
1990-91-1996-97 8.0%
1996-97-2001-02 8.0%
2001-02-2006-07 11.5%
2006-07-2011-12 12.2%
2011-12-2019-20 8.0%
Sensitivity Coefficient 7.5%
Source: NPCS Team