Order process
RFQ with brand preference (or 'any LME Grade A'), tonnage, destination port, quotation period (M, M+1 etc.), payment terms → written offer within 24h with premium locked
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Copper cathode specification
Copper cathode is supplied as electrolytic cathode sheets with a typical purity of 99.99% Cu. Cathode sheets weigh approximately 60–110 kg each, with dimensions in the region of 980×920 mm and a thickness of 8–15 mm, bundled into 2,000–3,000 kg lifting bundles on hardwood dunnage. Where a buyer requires a specific standard such as Cu-CATH-1 / BS EN 1978, the applicable producer specification and any conformance documentation are confirmed for the contracted brand before the offer is finalised — we do not quote standards compliance that has not been verified for the material offered. LME Grade A registered cathode corresponds to Cu-CATH-1 under BS EN 1978, which sets a minimum of 99.9935% Cu.
Packaging
Cathodes load bundled (2–3 MT per bundle) on hardwood dunnage in 20GP containers at ~24–25 MT per container, or in 40HQ at ~25 MT (volume limit). Bundles are strapped with 32 mm steel banding and shrink-wrapped to prevent moisture ingress. Container floor is dunnage-lined to protect cathode surface.
Pricing — LME plus premium
Cathodes are priced as LME 3-month Grade A copper settlement PLUS a delivered premium that captures freight, financing and warehousing. Premium varies by destination — typically $80–$220/MT CIF Asia depending on brand, packaging and tonnage. The premium is fixed at contract signature with the LME quotation period (M+1 average is most common) named in the contract.
Brand and origin
The producing brand and country of origin for each cathode offer are named in the written offer and in the sales contract, so the buyer knows exactly what is being shipped. If your downstream certification requires a specific brand, exchange registration or origin, state it in the RFQ and we will confirm in writing whether that material can be sourced before any contract is signed.
Inspection and assay
Each cathode bundle is weighed on a calibrated platform scale and randomly sampled for moisture/oxide check. Independent assay by SGS or Alfred H Knight is available at buyer's option — sampling, drilling and ICP-OES assay against ISO 7156 or equivalent. Inspection certificate ships with the docs.
Destinations and end-uses
Rod plants in India, Turkey, China and Korea for ETP rod production; brass mills in Turkey and India; tube manufacturers worldwide; bus-bar producers and high-conductivity wire drawing plants.
Export documentation
Cathode shipments include commercial invoice, packing list with bundle weights, B/L, weight tickets, EUR.1 origin where applicable, LME brand certificate, mill test certificate (where supplied), independent assay certificate
Cathode vs scrap — when to buy which
Cathodes deliver predictable 99.99% purity for rod and high-conductivity applications. Scrap (Millberry, Berry) trades at a deeper discount to LME and suits refiners with their own re-melt capacity.