When choosing the best material for plumbing, the responsible answer is the one that has been used for generations. John Fennell writes.

Copper has been in use for at least 10,000 years and continues to serve society’s needs. It has unique physical and chemical properties, including electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, machinability and castability providing high-performance properties that make copper an essential material in a wide variety of applications necessary for quality of life and sustainable economic growth.

It is estimated that in the last one hundred years, two-thirds of the 690 million tonnes of copper produced are still in productive use. Nearly 70% of worldwide copper produced is used for electrical/conductivity applications and communications. Another 20% of all the copper produced is used in buildings—for plumbing, cooling, roofing and cladding.

Copper provides light, durable maintenance-free structures that are naturally good-looking, long-lasting and fully recyclable.

Copper: Society’s urban mine of the future

This enormous stock of installed/in-use copper, contained in its diverse range of end uses is equivalent to around 33 years of mine production and is often referred to as society’s ‘urban mine’.

Its long-lasting life after installation and 100% recyclability at all stages of its life cycle makes it a truly valuable and responsible material of choice, particularly in buildings.

In Australia, programs like the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) GreenStar and the Responsible Products programs seek to reward the construction of buildings and the use of products that have lower environmental impact, are transparent, respect human rights and drive resiliency in buildings and communities. For many developers or asset owners, the requirement for sustainable buildings is integral to their business Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) charters and drives all aspects of design, product selection, tender award and build.

Advancements in the copper industry for a sustainable future

Whilst the recyclability of copper is one of its great strengths as a sustainable material, recent advancements in copper production and programs focused on emissions targets and responsible copper production are driving a sustainable future.

The Copper Mark program was introduced in 2020 and is the leading assurance framework to promote responsible practices across the copper, molybdenum, nickel and zinc value chains. Copper Mark enables organisations throughout these metals’ value chains to better understand and meet the increasing demands for independently verified responsible practices, and to contribute positively to sustainable development. Local BHP Olympic Dam, supplier of copper cathode to one of Australia’s most respected plumbing brands, MM Kembla, has more recently achieved Copper Mark certification.

More recently, the International Copper Association Australia commissioned the Warren Centre to develop a strategic Roadmap to achieve a Zero Emission Copper Mine of the Future. The roadmap is widely supported by International Copper Association Australia (ICAA) members and identifies a series of near-term technology adoptions and future technology breakthroughs to fundamentally change the way energy is consumed, sourced and abated.

A zero-emission mine of the future must recognise the difference between incremental versus breakthrough innovation. The lower-carbon economy means copper is well placed to facilitate this process through real-world applications like electrification and as a long-lasting and recyclable material in building and infrastructure, with the roadmap focused on innovation of the upstream segment of the mining process.

We still call Australia the home of sustainable copper

The advent of sustainable materials finds Australia as a leader in the copper industry with the Australian supply chain early adopters of the copper industries initiatives.

Australian copper miners have joined to launch the Connect Ore digital knowledge platform which will enhance new technology adoption to improve operational efficiency and lower emissions at Australian copper mines. The platform uses a generative artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist miners to make more informed decisions and to collaborate with technologists and researchers around the world

BHP Olympic Dam’s commitment to sustainable and responsible practices in its South Australian operations as well as Australian copper tube manufacturer MM Kemba’s recent Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A Certification for locally produced copper tube demonstrates that closer to home you are blessed with responsible product options. MM Kembla’s GreenRate Level A Certification provides 100% of the relevant Responsible Product Value (RPV) credit points for GreenStar Australia and New Zealand programs and Best Practice when combined with MM Kembla’s Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

There is no question for future builds, Australian material and manufacture of copper plumbing tubes is the optimal choice for GreenStar projects and sustainable builds.

Copper for buildings of the future

The global trend towards lead-free copper alloys, the naturally antimicrobial properties of copper, copper’s 100% recyclability and the copper industry initiatives in Australia, continue to demonstrate why this material has been so important.

Times change but copper’s active part in improvement in quality of life and sustainable building and infrastructure demonstrates why it will continue to be the responsible choice of plumbing material.