The future’s green for the red metal...a response to the Kyoto targets

CORDIS Wire: "The future’s green for the red metal
2007-03-14

Brigitte Parys
EUROPEAN COPPER INSTITUTE
168 AVENUE DE TERVUEREN BOX 10
1150 BRUSSELS
BELGIUM

World refined copper usage continues to rise (+3,3%(1)in 2006) i.e. 17.2 million tonnes; the red metal is reaffirming its key role in modern society, in particular for sustainable development.
The use of highly efficient motor driven systems (+30% copper in the motors) would allow EU industry to reduce its CO2 emissions by 100 million tonnes per year, which would account for one-third of European Kyoto targets. Furthermore, in the healthcare sector, copper confirms its excellent antimicrobial properties, proven by the trials completed at the University of Southampton against the MRSA infection (antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Results are expected to be confirmed by an in situ trial due to be conducted by a Birmingham hospital over a period of 18 months starting in April.

Copper: vital for sustainable development

Copper was the first metal used by mankind. Alloyed with tin, copper made the Bronze Age possible. Along with its excellent electrical conductivity, it played a key role during the 2nd industrial revolution, and indeed it still does so today, with its role in the new information technologies. Use"