Schneider Electric and Glencore collaborate to drive copper circularity

The companies will work together to advocate for the use of copper with high recycled content and explore options for end-of-life take back initiatives.

Schneider Electric and Glencore have partnered to transform their copper supply chain and enhance decarbonization efforts. The companies will work together to advocate for the use of high-recycled-content copper and explore options for end-of-life recovery initiatives.

S&P Global estimates that copper demand will double by 2035, driven by electrification and the transition to clean energy. Balancing this demand with the shift to more sustainable practices is one of the greatest challenges facing the mining industry, as the sector is responsible for up to 7% of global CO2 emissions, with scope 3 emissions accounting for between 75% and 95% of its total carbon emissions.

The industrial technology company is helping Glencore drive its global operations by implementing a combination of automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies, along with providing consulting support for sustainable procurement. Specifically:

Sustainable capital equipment procurement: Schneider Electric assisted Glencore Copper in developing high-efficiency, low-carbon procurement specifications for capital equipment that support "best practices" aligned with Schneider Electric's Zero Carbon Project.

“The relationship between Schneider Electric and Glencore is based on the shared goal of decarbonizing copper production and generating resilience in its supply,” said Rob Moffitt, President of Mining, Minerals, and Metals at Schneider Electric.

Additionally, the President of Mining, Minerals, and Metals at Schneider Electric stated that “in the past, reducing emissions has been a challenge due to the complexity of supply chains; however, by leveraging digitalization, we can close the material loop and drive our circularity. This, along with the integration of energy and process throughout the entire lifecycle of assets, is a fundamental component in our race toward net zero.”