- QCO impacts copper cathode imports
- Copper pipe, tube imports rise over 30%
In FY’25, India imported 239,000 tonnes (t) of copper cathode, 34% less than 363,000 t in the previous financial year. Amid sharp drop in imports between December 2024 to February 2025, two trade associations filed a petition against the Union Mines Ministry, which issued a Quality Control Order (QCO) in 2023 which came into force last year regulating the use of copper products, alleging that stringent quality norms have caused “acute shortages” in supply.
The petition added that domestic producers could “charge exorbitant and irrational rates” as imports decline. The case will be heard by the Bombay High Court on 27 June.
However, a rebound in copper cathode imports in March to around 16,200 t indicates that supply constraints are easing. Sources say that no shortage was recorded on account of the QCO, and that the Mines Ministry has filed its response to the petition in court.
The steep drop in imports prompted complaints from some exporters, especially Japanese suppliers who dominate India’s copper cathode imports. The QCO mandates that both domestic producers and foreign suppliers obtain the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to sell copper cathode in India. Most Japanese producers received certification only after the QCO took effect, and some continued to face minor challenges in ensuring compliance post certification.
“Roughly 50% of copper cathode demand is in the winding wire segment, which has had no issue in availability after December. There has been no impact on the downstream sectors,” a source said. Delays in BIS certification was caused by Japanese smelters taking over six months to apply, despite ample time and extensions, he added.
Copper wire, tube, sheet imports surge
India’s copper wire imports rose 17.2% year-on-year in FY’25 to around 153,932 t, up from 131,368 t in FY’24.
Downstream copper imports climbed to multi-year highs in FY’25, defying the slump in cathode shipments. Copper wire imports — primarily from the UAE — rose 17% from 131,000 t in FY’24 to 154,000 t in FY’25.
Widely used in electrical wiring, motors, and transformers for its high conductivity and durability, copper wire imports in FY’25 hit a five-year high, though still remained below the over 200,000 t imported in FY’19 and FY’20.
India’s copper pipes and tubes imports rose 31.1% in FY’25 to 118,208 t, up from 90,196 tin FY’24.
Similarly, copper tubes and pipes imports — primarily from Vietnam — jumped 30% to 114,000 t, the highest since FY’18. Copper tubes and pipes are used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and heat exchangers. Copper plates, sheets and strips imports — used in electrical busbars and transformers — surged 49% to around 30,000 t.
Imports of copper products rose despite the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) enforcing a QCO on these items from 19 October, 2024, initially for large and medium enterprises. Growth persisted due to potential stocking-up before enforcement, longer timelines for small (January 2025) and micro (April 2025) units, exemptions for certain tubes and export-use products, and timely grant of BIS certification to some foreign manufacturers.
Domestic cathode output rises
Domestic copper cathode production rose 12.6% to 573,000 t in FY’25, driven primarily by Hindalco Industries Ltd., which holds a 70% market share and has a capacity of 500,000 t. Production last year surpassed the previous peak of 555,000 t recorded in FY’23.
Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper, with a smaller capacity of 216,000 t, had a 26% share in total cathode production in FY’25. Notably, India remained self-sufficient in copper cathode until 2018, when Vedanta’s Tuticorin plant was shut down over environmental violations.
Adani’s Kutch Copper Ltd produced 22,000 t (4% share) in its first year, with a smaller capacity compared with Hindalco’s 500,000 t. Production is expected to ramp up to full capacity by October, with a source stating, “Once the Adani plant is fully operational, India’s entire cathode demand will be met internally.
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