AI to Drive 3 Million Tons of Copper Demand by 2028
Trafigura Group projects that data center infrastructure will require millions of tons of copper.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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Trafigura Group forecasts that global copper demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure will hit 3 million tons by 2028. This surge is attributed to the expansion of large-scale cloud computing and data center construction projects.
Why it matters
The massive scale of artificial intelligence systems necessitates extensive infrastructure development. Copper serves as a vital material for the power delivery networks required to operate these systems.
The projected demand for 3 million tons of copper is driven primarily by the construction of data centers and associated power infrastructure. This estimate accounts for the hardware requirements of hyperscaler cloud computing projects.
The players
Trafigura Group
Trafigura Group is a multinational commodity trading company that specializes in the supply and transport of metals, minerals, and energy products.
The details
Hyperscaler spending plans are identified as the primary catalyst for this industrial trend. The construction of complex data center facilities is creating significant long-term requirements for conductive materials to support high-performance computing.
Timeline
2028: Projected target year for 3 million tons of copper demand.
The Tech Race
This forecast underscores a fundamental shift where digital infrastructure increasingly dictates the consumption of base metals. It highlights a departure from traditional industrial uses as data centers replace older, less copper-intensive utility requirements in the tech sector.
For tech users, the reliance on such significant raw material quantities highlights the immense physical resources behind cloud-based AI services. This demand could influence future pricing for electronic services as hardware and power delivery costs fluctuate with copper supply.
The takeaway
The growth of artificial intelligence is physically tethered to the global supply of base metals like copper. Companies investing in AI should account for the potential supply chain volatility associated with this rising material demand.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure trends currently shaping the industry at Data Centers.
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Is the current pace of investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure beneficial for the nation's future?
