Aurubis
Aurubis AG is Europe's largest integrated copper producer and the world's largest copper recycler. The Hamburg-based public company operates primary smelting and secondary recycling facilities across Europe and North America, supplying copper products and multimetals to industrial customers in energy, automotive, and infrastructure markets.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1866
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aurubis does
Aurubis AG is a Hamburg-based, publicly listed (Frankfurt: NDA) integrated copper producer and the world's largest copper recycler, founded in 1866 as Norddeutsche Affinerie. The company employs approximately 7,200 people across more than 20 countries on three continents, operating major production sites in Hamburg, Lünen, and Stolberg (Germany), Olen and Beerse (Belgium), Pirdop (Bulgaria), Pori (Finland), Berango (Spain), and — as of September 2025 — Richmond, Georgia (United States). Aurubis combines primary copper smelting and electrolytic refining (Hamburg, Pirdop) with secondary multimetal recycling (Lünen, Olen, Beerse, Richmond), having produced roughly 32 million tons of copper since founding.
The product portfolio centers on copper — cathodes (99.99% purity), continuous cast rod, specialty wire, shapes, bars, profiles, and industrial and architectural rolled products including the Nordic Copper brand — alongside byproduct metals (gold, silver, tin, lead, tellurium, lead-bismuth and lead-antimony alloys, selenium) and industrial byproducts (sulfuric acid, iron silicate). Proprietary technologies include the Reducing Diffuse Emissions (RDE) filtration system at Hamburg (19,000 filter elements processing 1.6M std m³/hour, ~80% diffuse emission reduction), multi-metal recovery technology that extracts nickel, tin, and precious metals from e-scrap and complex recycling inputs at scale, the ASPA sludge processing method at Olen, and hydrogen-based anode production piloted in 2025. Quality and sustainability are underpinned by Copper Mark certification, EU Critical Raw Materials Act alignment, and ISO 14001/45001/9001 certifications.
The business operates on a B2B industrial sales model with direct relationships and contract-based pricing tied to LME copper prices plus treatment charges and premiums. Aurubis matches major benchmark premiums (notably the 39% premium increase to Codelco's record $345/tonne European premium for 2026), reflecting structural copper supply deficits. Revenue is generated across four streams — copper cathodes and downstream products, other metals (gold, silver, tin, lead), metal recycling services, and sulfuric acid/iron silicate byproducts — and is exposed to customers in EVs/automotive, data centers/AI infrastructure, power grid/ utilities, renewable energy, and e-waste recycling. Q1 FY2025/26 revenue reached €5,284 million (up 25% YoY), with FY2024/25 operating EBT of €355 million and net cash flow of €677 million (up ~30%, highest in three years). Salzgitter AG holds a 29.99% strategic stake and has signaled no intention to exit; the 'Aurubis Performance 2030' strategy launched in December 2025 targets continued expansion as a global multimetal leader.
Aurubis firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurubis
- Legal name
- Aurubis AG
- Website
- https://aurubis.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1866
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Aurubis AG is Europe's largest integrated copper producer and the world's largest copper recycler. The Hamburg-based public company operates primary smelting and secondary recycling facilities across Europe and North America, supplying copper products and multimetals to industrial customers in energy, automotive, and infrastructure markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurubis industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Copper Production and Metal Recycling
- NAICS
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (33141), Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying (33142), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing (3314)
- SIC
- Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330), Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Copper Recycling & Secondary Copper Smelting/Refining (IMAKADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Copper Pyrometallurgy (Smelting, Converting) (IMAKADAE), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB), E-Waste & Electronics Metal Recovery (ITAD, Circuit Boards, Precious Metal Recovery) (IMAKAMAG), Precious & Specialty Metal Recovery (Smelting, Refining, Hydrometallurgy) (EUAIAIAD), Copper By-Products Recovery (Molybdenum, Gold/Silver, Sulfuric Acid) (IMAKADAH)
Keywords
Where Aurubis is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Aurubis business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Copper Cathodes and Products: Primary revenue from production and sale of copper cathodes and processed copper products including wire rod, shapes, bars, profiles, and rolled products.
- Other Metals: Revenue from gold, silver, tin, lead, and other byproduct metals recovered during copper processing.
- Metal Recycling Services: Processing complex recycling materials including e-scrap, copper cables, and industrial waste to recover valuable metals.
- Sulfuric Acid and Industrial Byproducts: Sale of sulfuric acid and iron silicate produced as byproducts of copper smelting operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Copper premium pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Aurubis product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurubis is the world's largest copper recycler and a leading integrated copper producer. The company mines, smelts, and refines copper concentrates and complex secondary raw materials (including e-scrap) into high-purity copper cathodes (99.99% Cu) and downstream copper products (wire rod, shapes, bars, profiles, rolled products). It also recovers and sells precious metals (gold, silver), tin, lead, tellurium, and industrial by-products (sulfuric acid, iron silicate) for industrial B2B customers.
Product overview
Aurubis is a leading global multimetal company and the world's largest copper recycler, operating on three continents with approximately 7,200 employees. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio centered on copper products (cathodes, rod, wire, shapes, bars, profiles, industrial and architectural rolled products), precious metals (gold, silver), tin, lead, and specialty metals (tellurium). Its operations include primary copper smelting and refining (Hamburg, Pirdop), secondary metal recycling (Lünen, Olen, Beerse, Richmond), and a Nordic Copper architectural brand. Aurubis processes both mined ores and complex recycled materials to recover multiple metals including copper, nickel, precious metals, and tin, supported by proprietary recycling technologies. The company also produces industrial by-products including sulfuric acid and iron silicate.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Copper Cathodes High-purity copper cathodes (99.99% Cu) produced through electrolytic refining, serving as primary feedstock for copper wire, rod, and flat-rolled products for industrial manufacturers.
- Continuous Cast Rod and Specialty Wire Copper rod and specialty wire products manufactured using continuous casting for electrical wire, cable, and telecommunications applications.
- Copper Shapes Strangecast formats (cast shapes) produced through continuous casting for further processing into wire rod, tubes, and profiles.
- Bars & Profiles Copper bars and profiles for electrical connectors, switchgear, and industrial applications requiring high conductivity and formability.
- Industrial Rolled Products Flat-rolled copper and copper alloy products for automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturing applications.
- Architectural Rolled Products Decorative and architectural copper products for facades, roofing, and interior design applications.
- Nordic Copper Premium architectural copper product line including Nordic Standard, Nordic Bronze, Nordic Blue, Nordic Brown, Nordic Royal, Nordic Brass, and Nordic Green patinated finishes for building applications.
- Gold Refined gold produced as a by-product of copper and other non-ferrous metal smelting and refining operations.
- Silver Refined silver produced as a by-product of copper and other non-ferrous metal smelting and refining operations.
- Tin Ingots Refined tin ingots produced from secondary sources and complex raw materials recycling operations.
- Lead Refined lead produced as a by-product of copper smelting operations.
- Lead-Bismuth Alloy Specialty lead alloy containing bismuth for applications requiring improved casting properties.
- Lead-Antimony Litharge Lead-antimony oxide compound produced during lead refining processes.
- Tellurium Metal Rare tellurium metal recovered from complex ore and secondary raw materials.
- Tellurium Dioxide High-purity tellurium dioxide for semiconductor and solar cell applications.
- Metal Recycling Recycling of copper-bearing scrap, end-of-life products, and industrial residues to recover copper and other non-ferrous metals for industrial buyers and scrap suppliers.
- E-Scrap and Complex Raw Materials Processing Processing of electronic scrap and complex secondary raw materials to recover copper, precious metals, and other valuable components.
- Sulfuric Acid Industrial-grade sulfuric acid produced as a by-product of metal smelting operations.
- Iron Silicate Iron silicate produced as a slag by-product from copper smelting, used in construction and cement applications.
- Copper on Account Cathode leasing and financing service allowing industrial customers to secure copper inventory without taking physical delivery.
- Aurubis Richmond Multimetal Recycling Plant First U.S. multimetal recycling plant producing high-grade blister copper, nickel, tin, and precious metals from electronic waste and complex secondary raw materials for North American industrial customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% reduction in diffuse emissions from primary copper production achieved through RDE system expansion in Hamburg
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Aurubis
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aurubis technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aurubis partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Enercity ContractingflagshipPioneering waste heat recovery project capturing thermal energy from copper smelting for climate-neutral district heating to Hamburg's Hafencity East, requiring over €20 million investment from each partner.
- IBMcorePartner in NSF Tech Metal Transformation Challenge, providing donated electronic waste as reference material for critical materials recovery technology development.
- U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)corePartner in NSF Tech Metal Transformation Challenge with STRIDE Ventures for critical minerals recovery technology, with Aurubis providing industrial validation using donated e-waste.
- SMS GroupcoreConstruction partner for Aurubis Richmond multimetal recycling plant in Georgia, USA.
- Troilus GoldcoreFixed-price offtake agreement for copper-gold concentrate supply from Troilus' Quebec project, with Aurubis supplying 75,000 tpy of Canadian copper concentrate from 2028.
- BolidencoreStrategic offtake partner for copper concentrate from Troilus project.
- Ivanhoe MinescoreReceives copper anodes (99.7% purity) from Ivanhoe's Kamoa-Kakula complex via Lobito Corridor railway for European refining.
- ABBcoreEnergy efficiency partnership using ABB IE6 SynRM motors and IE4/IE5 motors at Pirdop plant achieving 25 GWh annual electricity savings.
- Air LiquideminorJoint air separation unit project for industrial gas supply at Bulgarian site.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aurubis competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Freeport-McMoRan: US-based major copper miner with operations spanning mining, smelting, and refining. Larger and mining-focused incumbent operating across the integrated copper value chain.
- Anglo American: UK-listed diversified miner with major copper operations in Chile (Los Bronces, Collahuasi) and Peru (Quellaveco). Mining-focused incumbent that competes with Aurubis as a copper cathode source.
- Glencore: Swiss diversified mining and commodities trading giant with major copper mining and smelting operations. Significantly larger and more diversified than Aurubis but competes across multiple copper value chain stages.
- BHP Group: Anglo-Australian diversified miner with one of the world's largest copper portfolios (Escondida, Olympic Dam). Significantly larger but competes in cathode production and copper concentrate supply.
Direct peers
- Codelco: Chilean state-owned copper producer and the world's largest copper miner. Direct competitor to Aurubis in integrated copper production; Aurubis explicitly benchmarks its European cathode premium against Codelco's record pricing.
- Dowa Holdings: Japanese non-ferrous metals company specializing in copper smelting, electronic materials, and metal recycling including e-waste. Closest functional peer in multi-metal recycling and secondary smelting.
- Umicore: Belgian materials technology and recycling company with operations in precious metals refining, recycling, and catalysis. Comparable business model as a non-ferrous metals processor and recycler with European footprint.
- Jiangxi Copper: Chinese state-owned integrated copper producer and one of the world's largest copper smelters/refiners. Directly competes with Aurubis in global cathode supply and copper concentrate markets.
- Sumitomo Metal Mining: Japanese integrated non-ferrous metals producer with copper smelting/refining and nickel operations. Comparable integrated copper business with precious metals recovery capabilities.
- Boliden: Swedish metals and mining company operating copper and zinc smelters across Europe. Closest functional peer to Aurubis in integrated copper smelting and recycling, particularly in Nordic/Baltic markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aurubis social profiles
Digital presenceAurubis compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Aurubis financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurubis leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Aurubis subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Aurubis funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurubis M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurubis
What does Aurubis do?
Aurubis is the world's largest copper recycler and a leading integrated copper producer. The company mines, smelts, and refines copper concentrates and complex secondary raw materials (including e-scrap) into high-purity copper cathodes (99.99% Cu) and downstream copper products (wire rod, shapes, bars, profiles, rolled products). It also recovers and sells precious metals (gold, silver), tin, lead, tellurium, and industrial by-products (sulfuric acid, iron silicate) for industrial B2B customers.
Is Aurubis a public or private company?
Aurubis is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Aurubis founded?
Aurubis was founded in 1866. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Aurubis based?
Aurubis is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Aurubis make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Copper Cathodes and Products are the primary driver. The others are other Metals, metal Recycling Services and sulfuric Acid and Industrial Byproducts.
Who are Aurubis's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Freeport-McMoRan, Anglo American, Glencore and BHP Group. Direct peers are Codelco, Dowa Holdings, Umicore, Jiangxi Copper, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Boliden.
Does Aurubis have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aurubis.
What industry is Aurubis in?
Aurubis's product category is Copper Production and Metal Recycling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKADAK, Copper Recycling & Secondary Copper Smelting/Refining, with a secondary code of IMAKADAE, Copper Pyrometallurgy (Smelting, Converting). Its NAICS code is 33141 and its SIC code is 3330.