India’s copper demand increased 12% year-on-year to 2,100 kilotonnes (KT) in FY2026, accelerating from 9.3% growth in FY2025 and outpacing the country’s 7.7% GDP growth during the year, according to the Annual Copper Demand Data for FY2026 released by the International Copper Association India (ICA India). Demand growth was driven by infrastructure, automotive, and building and construction, where copper remains widely used in wires and cables, transformers, motors, automotive wiring harnesses, and electrical equipment.
Infrastructure emerged as the largest contributor to incremental demand. The sector, which accounts for 22% of India’s total consumption, recorded 29% growth during FY2026. The expansion coincided with the addition of a record 37 GW of solar capacity during the year, double the level added in FY2025, while wind capacity additions rose 46% to 6 GW. The increase reflects continued investment in renewable energy, grid expansion, and India’s long-term clean energy plans.
The automotive sector also recorded stronger growth after a relatively subdued FY2025. Copper demand from the sector increased 14%, supported by higher sales of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and tractors. Electric vehicle sales grew 19%, led by two-wheelers and passenger cars, taking overall EV penetration to 9% and creating copper demand of 37 KT during the year. Electric vehicles typically require around four times more copper than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Building and construction, which accounts for roughly one-fourth of India’s demand, grew 9% year-on-year. The increase was supported by demand for building wires, power cables, construction hardware, and household electrical accessories, alongside continued activity in premium housing, commercial real estate, and urban development. Data centres remain an emerging segment, contributing less than 1% of total demand.
Mayur Karmarkar, Managing Director of ICA India, said continued investment in infrastructure, industrialisation, and clean energy would remain key drivers of future copper demand. He noted that domestic refined production reached 704 KT in FY2026, up 23% year-on-year.
Refined copper met 58% of India’s total demand during FY2026, while the remaining 42% came through the scrap route. ICA India said imported scrap, which amounted to 274 KT during the year, remains a challenge as several countries tighten recycling policies and promote circular economy measures, highlighting the need for additional domestic smelting and refining capacity.
The International Copper Association India is the Indian arm of the ICA and a member of the Copper Alliance. Operating in India since 1998, ICA India works to promote the use of copper through programmes focused on electrical safety, energy efficiency, clean energy, sustainability, and improved industry standards across products and applications.
