GENERAL NEWS
Looming“ copper supply gap” set to widen
A looming copper supply gap is poised to widen as electricity demand accelerates and new vectors— such as the race for artificial intelligence and surging defence spending— add to the call on copper. According to‘ Copper in the Age of AI: The Challenges of Electrification’, a new study by S & P Global, the emerging supply deficit constitutes a“ systemic risk for global industries, technological advancement and economic growth.”
The study finds that the“ accelerating pace of electrification” is projected to swell copper demand to 42 million metric tons by 2040, a 50 % increase from current levels. Yet, existing supply is currently poised to decrease in coming years as the mining sector faces challenges across the copper value chain.
The study projects that global copper production will peak in 2030 at 33 million metric tons. Unless significant adjustments are made, it says, the widening disconnect will result in a supply deficit of 10 million metric tons by 2040— 25 % below projected demand.
Semiconductor lead frame for electronic chip.
This“ substantial shortfall” occurs despite what the study expects will be a more than doubling of recycled copper scrap, from four million metric tons today to 10 million metric tons by 2040.
Image: Shutterstock. com.
“ Here, in short, is the quandary: copper is the great enabler of electrification, but the accelerating pace of electrification is an increasing challenge for copper,” said Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S & P Global, who co-chaired the study.“ Economic demand; grid expansion; renewable generation; AI computation; digital industries; electric vehicles and defence are scaling all at once— and supply is not on track to keep pace. At stake is whether copper remains an enabler of progress or becomes a bottleneck to growth and innovation.”
Projections are based upon a detailed bottom-up, technology-by-technology approach to quantify demand at its point of consumption, as opposed to production. This enables a better estimate of the embedded demand for the metal and the potential shortages or surpluses countries could face
due to disruptions across the supply chain, according to S & P Global while outlining the methodology of the report.
“ Several countries have deemed copper a‘ critical metal’ over the past half decade including, in 2025, the United States. And with good reason,” added Carlos Pascual, Senior Vice President, Geopolitics and International Affairs, S & P Global Energy and study cochair.“ Copper is the connective artery linking physical machinery; digital intelligence; mobility; infrastructure; communication and security systems; the future availability of copper has become a matter of strategic importance.”
“ The future is not just copper-intensive, it is copper-enabled. Every new building, every line of digital code, every renewable megawatt, every new car, every advanced weapon system depends on the metal,” concluded Aurian De La Noue, Executive Director, Critical Minerals and Energy Transition Consulting, S & P Global Energy.“ Multilateral cooperation and regional diversification will be crucial to ensure a more resilient global copper system— one commensurate with copper’ s role as the linchpin of electrification, digitalisation and security in the age of AI.”
For further information, see bit. ly / 3LvTEt4 n
ITM Industry Europe showcases key trends
ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 will be held in Poznań( Poland) from 26-29 May 2026. The Modernlog and Subcontracting trade shows will also be held at MTP Poznań Expo at the same time.
“ Nearly 100 leading companies from Poland and overseas have already secured their exhibition space. This confirms the position of ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE as a key business platform and a place where trends are showcased( from production automation and modern metal processing technologies to the groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence in industry),” commented the show organiser, Grupa MTP.
The trade show is divided into thematic areas( AUTOMA, MACH-TOOL, SURFEX and WELDING), allowing companies to better identify with a specific industry, and making it easier for visitors to access the technologies which interest them while visiting the trade fair exhibition.
“ The thematic zones concept also attracts the support of key partners who, as in the last show, will curate these unique spaces. These include Schmalz( Collaborative Robot
Zone); Troax( Safety Zone); Balluff( Demobus Zone) and Pneumat( Pneumat Game Zone). There will also be a DBR77 Zone with innovations for factories of the future,” said Grupa MPT.
“ In 2026, the topic of artificial intelligence in industry will be strongly highlighted— we expect it to be a programme hit. We are also continuing the success of the European Science Fair, which will bring together research institutes, universities, technology startups and businesses in one inspiring space,” added Anna Lemańska-Kramer, deputy director of the ITM trade show.
Anna Lemańska-Kramer, deputy director of the ITM trade show.
The FOCAST exhibition accompanying the ITM trade show takes place every two years, so contact with the foundry industry is an important element of the Poznań trade show’ s strategy. Grupa MTP was the Silver Sponsor of Poland’ s National Foundry Day, an important meeting place for the industry, combined with a technical conference entitled‘ Foundry of Tomorrow – Sustainable Development, Innovation, Digital Future’ on 12 December 2025 in Krakow, Poland. n
www. itm-europe. pl
8 | ismr. net | ISMR February 2026