Wire, Cable & Electrical Conductor Raw Materials Hub
Copper cathode and rod, EC aluminium rod, ACSR steel core, galvanising zinc, PVC/XLPE compounds, wire scrap and transformer oil
A cable plant is a metal buyer first: copper rod is 80–85% of a copper cable plant's operating cost and 85–90% of a copper wire plant's (IMARC). The rod comes off a continuous cast-and-roll line of 30,000 to 70,000 tonnes a year fed with LME Grade A cathode, which under BS EN 1978 Cu-CATH-1 carries a maximum 0.0065% sum of listed impurities, or 99.9935% copper. ASTM B49 ETP rod (C11040) must reach 100% IACS annealed; ASTM B233 aluminium 1350 drawing stock from 9.52 mm reaches 61.8% IACS in O temper. ACSR adds a zinc-coated steel core to ASTM B498 (coating classes A, B and C, slab zinc high-grade or better) built with 99.995% Special High Grade zinc to ASTM B6. Around the conductor sit the insulation polymers: PVC compound on a K-value-above-70 resin at 40–60 phr plasticiser to IEC 60502-1 (PVC/A insulation, ST1/ST2 sheath) and peroxide-crosslinkable XLPE on an LDPE base (density 0.92, MI 2.0, 1.8–2.0 wt% dicumyl peroxide) for 90°C conductors. UN Comtrade 2024 export declarations under HS 7901.11 (unwrought zinc ≥ 99.99%) total USD 8.5 billion and about 2.1 million tonnes across 62 reporters.
CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers these inputs from refineries, rod mills, smelters and compounders in Chile, Peru, Zambia and the DRC, Southern Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and the USA to cable makers in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America. Cathode ships in 1–4 tonne strapped bundles (stowage 0.34 m³/t), rod in coils, zinc in slabs and jumbos, compounds and resin in 25 kg bags and big bags, transformer oil in ISO tanks or parcel lots fixed by LaycanDesk. Trade measures are checked on every lane: the DRC's 29 June 2026 order bans copper and cobalt concentrate exports but leaves refined cathode free; Zambia's 10% concentrate export duty is waived to 30 September 2026; US copper imports carry a 50% Section 232 tariff since 1 August 2025 with a potential ceiling and licence on high-quality scrap exports; and the EU CBAM definitive phase has priced embedded carbon in aluminium imports since 1 January 2026.
Procurement & Freight Structure
Dual-loop execution: physical commodity brokerage + ocean charterparty.
Metal, insulation compound and dielectric oil on one calendar with LME-linked pricing on the cathode, rod and zinc lines and LaycanDesk fixing the breakbulk and parcel-tanker legs.
Procured Feedstocks & Maritime Profiles
Each raw material is contracted on chemical purity, physical particle sizing, and mandatory IMO/IMSBC code stowage factors to prevent liquefaction or contamination.
| Feedstock | Grade & Purity Spec | Form / Carriage | IMSBC Code | Stowage Factor | Typical Parcel | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LME Grade A Copper CathodeCu | BS EN 1978 Cu-CATH-1: sum of listed impurities ≤ 0.0065% (99.9935% Cu) | Electrolytic cathode sheets in strapped bundles of 1 – 4 MT, unpackaged | Group C | 10.9 cu.ft/MT (bundles) (0.34 m³/t (bundles)) | 20 – 25 MT per 20-ft container; 3,000 – 20,000 MT breakbulk | Spec →Ship → |
| ETP Copper Rod 8 mm (ASTM B49 / CC Rod)Cu (C11040 ETP) | ASTM B49 C11040: resistivity ≤ 0.15328 Ω·g/m² at 20°C annealed (100% IACS min) | 8 mm continuous cast-and-rolled rod in coils (SCR / Contirod); 6.4 – 35 mm covered by B49 | Group C | Per coil size and packing (Per coil size and packing) | 20 – 24 MT per 20-ft container (coils); breakbulk by Handysize | Spec →Ship → |
| Aluminium 1350 EC Wire Rod 9.5 mmAl (1350) | ASTM B233 aluminium 1350 drawing stock 9.52 – 25.40 mm; O temper resistivity ≤ 0.027899 Ω·mm²/m (61.8% IACS) | 9.5 mm Properzi / SCR cast-and-rolled rod in level-wound coils up to 2 MT | Group C | 24 – 30 cu.ft/MT (aluminium rod in loose coils) (0.679 – 0.849 m³/t (aluminium rod in loose coils)) | 18 – 20 MT per 20-ft container; breakbulk by Handysize | Spec →Ship → |
| ACSR Steel Core Wire & SHG Galvanising ZincFe (Zn-coated) / Zn 99.995% | ASTM B498 zinc-coated steel core wire (Class A/B/C coating, IEC 61089); zinc ASTM B6 / ISO 752 SHG 99.995% | Galvanised steel core wire on reels or in coils; zinc in 25 kg slabs or 1 – 2 MT jumbo blocks | Group C | Per pack (slabs / reels) (Per pack (slabs / reels)) | 20 – 25 MT per 20-ft container | Spec →Ship → |
| Insulation Polymers: PVC Resin & Compound, XLPE, PE(C₂H₃Cl)ₙ / (C₂H₄)ₙ | PVC K > 70 for wire & cable, 40 – 60 phr plasticiser; XLPE on LDPE d 0.92, MI 2.0, DCP 1.8 – 2.0 wt%; IEC 60502-1 | Resin powder and compound pellets in 25 kg bags / big bags | Group C | Containerised – per pack (Containerised – per pack) | 18 – 24 MT per 20-ft container | Spec →Ship → |
| Insulated Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Druid)Cu + PVC/PE | ISRI Druid: insulated copper wire, priced on recovered copper (65 – 70% typical recovery) | Loose or baled cable in 20-ft / 40-ft containers; nodules (Cocoa ≥ 99% Cu) after chopping | Group C | Containerised – per bale density (Containerised – per bale density) | 18 – 22 MT per 20-ft container | Spec →Ship → |
| Transformer Oil Base Stock (IEC 60296 Naphthenic) | IEC 60296: viscosity ≤ 12 mm²/s at 40°C · breakdown ≥ 30 kV (untreated) / ≥ 70 kV (treated) · pour point ≤ −40°C | Clear, severely hydrotreated naphthenic oil; uninhibited or inhibited | IMO Liquid / Chemical | Liquid – by tank (Liquid – by tank) | 20 – 24 MT ISO tank or flexitank; 1,000 – 5,000 MT parcel lots | Spec →Ship → |
LME Grade A Copper Cathode
LME-registered brands for continuous rod casting. Cu-CATH-1 limits include Ag 0.0025%, Fe 0.0010%, S 0.0015%, Pb 0.0005%, As 0.0005%, Sb 0.0004%, with grouped caps (Bi+Se+Te ≤ 0.0003%). DRC refined cathode remains exportable under the 29 June 2026 concentrate ban.
ETP Copper Rod 8 mm (ASTM B49 / CC Rod)
Fire-refined or cathode-fed ETP rod for drawing into building wire, magnet wire and power-cable strands. ASTM B49 covers rod from 6.4 to 35 mm; ETP C11040 must reach 100% IACS annealed and oxygen-free C10100 101% IACS. Copper rod is 80–85% of a cable plant's operating cost.
Aluminium 1350 EC Wire Rod 9.5 mm
Electrical-conductor grade rod for AAC, AAAC and ACSR stranding and aluminium building wire. Continuous rod lines run 2 to 15 MT/h of EC rod at 9.5 mm; EC rod has no page yet and is quoted on request. EU-bound rod is inside the CBAM definitive phase (aluminium) since 1 January 2026.
ACSR Steel Core Wire & SHG Galvanising Zinc
Cold-drawn, hot-dip galvanised core wire for ACSR to ASTM B498 (three zinc coating classes; slab zinc high-grade or better), plus SHG zinc for the plant's own galvanising line: Pb ≤ 0.003%, Cd ≤ 0.003%, Fe ≤ 0.002%, total non-zinc ≤ 0.005%. Continuous galvanising uses 20–70 kg of zinc per tonne of steel. Steel core wire has no page yet and is quoted on request.
Insulation Polymers: PVC Resin & Compound, XLPE, PE
PVC/A insulation and ST1/ST2 sheathing compounds to IEC 60502-1 for 0.6/1 kV cable, peroxide-crosslinkable XLPE for 90°C-rated conductors (250°C 5-second short circuit) and PE (ST3/ST7) sheaths. PVC resin and polyethylene have spokes; ready-made PVC and XLPE compounds have no page yet and are quoted on request. Plasticisers (DOP/DOTP, DINP) are on the plasticisers-glycols hub.
Insulated Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Druid)
Feedstock for cable choppers and secondary rod mills. Basel code B1115 (plastic-coated metal cables, not destined for uncontrolled thermal processes) with prior notification and consent where the destination applies it; China admits recycled copper raw material under GB/T 38471-2019 at 97% Cu min for No.1/No.2 and 98% for nodules; Thailand classes insulated wire as e-waste. Chopped nodules ISRI Cocoa are 99% Cu min.
Transformer Oil Base Stock (IEC 60296 Naphthenic)
Dielectric fluid for distribution and power transformers and switchgear, produced from severely hydrotreated naphthenic base oil to IEC 60296 (also ASTM D3487). Naphthenic stock holds its pour point without additives; uninhibited (U) and inhibited (I) grades per the standard. Transformer-oil base stock has no page yet; the base-oil hub covers Group I/II paraffinic grades.
Ocean Chartering & Laycan Programme
Plant downtime and demurrage at loading/discharge terminals can rapidly exceed commodity trading margins. LaycanDesk synchronizes vessel size matching, Notice of Readiness (NOR) tenders, and continuous laytime tracking.
COA & Maritime Execution Rules
Cathode Bundles: Dunnage and Contamination
Copper cathode ships as 1 – 4 MT steel-strapped bundles at 0.34 m³/t. Bottom and upper tiers sit on timber dunnage across the frames; rough handling that breaks strapping and any cargo that could contaminate the copper are avoided. Weights are confirmed by draft survey or certified scale at both ends.
Rod Coils and Zinc Slabs on Geared Tonnage
Copper and aluminium rod coils and zinc jumbos move in containers or as breakbulk on geared Handysize with lashing to the coil ends; aluminium rod in loose coils stows at 0.68 – 0.85 m³/t. Coils are kept dry and away from steel scrap or chemicals in the same hold.
Scrap Shipments: Basel and Destination Rules
Insulated wire scrap (Basel B1115) ships with the notification or green-list documentation the destination applies; China takes recycled copper raw material only to GB/T 38471-2019 and Southeast Asian hubs have tightened import licensing. Radiation and non-metallic checks at load with photographs per container.
Trade Measures on Copper, Zinc and Aluminium
DRC concentrate export ban (29 June 2026) leaves cathode free; Zambia's concentrate duty waiver expires 30 September 2026; US 50% Section 232 copper tariff since 1 August 2025; EU CBAM definitive phase on aluminium since 1 January 2026. Melt and cast country is stated on the mill certificate for every rod and cathode lot.
- • Antofagasta, Mejillones & Callao (Chile / Peru – copper cathode)
- • Durban & Walvis Bay (Southern Africa – Zambian and DRC cathode, SHG zinc)
- • Nhava Sheva, Mundra & Hazira (India – copper rod, aluminium rod, PVC compound)
- • Shanghai, Ningbo & Qingdao (China – zinc, PVC resin, XLPE compound, steel core wire)
- • Rotterdam, Antwerp & Hamburg (Europe – cathode, rod, insulated wire scrap, transformer oil)
- • Houston & New Orleans (US Gulf – copper rod, transformer oil, PE resin)
- • South Asia (Karachi, Chittagong, Colombo, Nhava Sheva)
- • Middle East & Eastern Mediterranean (Sohar, Aqaba, Mersin, Alexandria)
- • West & East Africa (Lagos, Tema, Abidjan, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam)
- • Southeast Asia (Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, Port Klang)
- • Latin America (Santos, Cartagena, Veracruz, Buenos Aires)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBIL price copper cathode and rod against the LME?
Yes. Cathode and ETP rod are quoted as LME cash or monthly-average plus a premium per tonne covering brand, origin, freight and terms; aluminium rod against LME aluminium plus a conversion premium; zinc against LME SHG. The quotation period and premium are fixed in the contract.
Can a cable plant buy its PVC compound and XLPE together with the rod?
Yes. PVC resin, ready compounds (PVC/A insulation, ST1/ST2 sheath), peroxide-crosslinkable XLPE and PE sheathing grades are quoted as separate lines on the same delivery calendar as the copper or aluminium rod, with plasticisers from the plasticisers-glycols hub where the plant compounds in-house.
What is checked on insulated copper wire scrap before shipment?
ISRI grade (Druid) and expected copper recovery, absence of lead-sheathed, oil-filled or armoured cable unless declared, radiation and non-metallic checks, Basel B1115 documentation for the destination, and photographs per container at stuffing.
What are the payment and document terms?
Irrevocable letter of credit at sight or as agreed, against clean on-board bills of lading, producer's or refinery's certificate of analysis or mill test certificate stating melt and cast country, certificate of origin, packing and weight list; SGS, Alfred H. Knight or Bureau Veritas weighing and sampling where specified.
Explore Other Industrial Hubs
Fertilizer Manufacturing Raw Materials Hub
Integrated procurement hub for phosphoric and complex fertilizer plants. Sourcing rock phosphate, recovered elemental sulphur, merchant-grade sulphuric acid, anhydrous ammonia, and potash under continuous Handysize, Supramax, and chemical parcel tanker Contracts of Affreightment (COA).
Steel Mill FeedstocksSteel Mill Raw Materials & Metallics Hub
Integrated blast furnace and EAF melt-shop raw material hub. Sourcing iron ore fines/pellets, coking coal, metallurgical coke, heavy melting scrap (HMS 1&2), DRI/HBI, ferroalloys, and limestone flux under Panamax, Ultramax, and Supramax ocean charter programmes.
Cement FeedstocksCement & Clinker Manufacturing Hub
Raw materials and clinker supply hub for standalone grinding stations and integrated cement works. Sourcing grey clinker, natural gypsum 85–92%, cement-grade limestone, and granulated blast furnace slag under geared Handysize and Supramax charter contracts.
Aluminum Smelter FeedstocksPrimary Aluminum Smelter Hub
Integrated supply chain hub for Hall-Héroult aluminum smelters and Bayer-process alumina refineries. Brokering metallurgical bauxite, calcined smelter-grade alumina, liquid caustic soda 50%, and calcined petcoke under Ultramax, Panamax, and chemical parcel tanker charter programmes.
Foundry FeedstocksFoundry & Casting Raw Materials Hub
Raw material basket hub for grey, ductile and steel casting foundries. Brokering foundry and nodular pig iron, foundry coke, ferrosilicon and manganese alloys, silica, chromite and zircon moulding sands, sodium bentonite, flake graphite, refractory grain and melting scrap in Handysize bulk parcels, jumbo bags and containers.
Glass Batch FeedstocksGlass Manufacturing Raw Materials Hub
Batch-house procurement hub for float, container, tableware and fibreglass furnaces. Brokering low-iron silica sand, dense soda ash, glass-grade limestone and dolomite, feldspar and nepheline syenite, anhydrous sodium sulphate and calcined alumina in Handysize and Supramax bulk parcels and containerised jumbo bags.
Feed Mill FeedstocksFeed Mill Raw Materials Hub
Raw material basket hub for poultry, ruminant and aquafeed mills. Brokering feed corn, wheat, barley and sorghum, soybean meal, DDGS, palm kernel expeller, rice bran, fishmeal and fish oil, cane molasses, lysine, methionine and threonine, MCP/DCP, choline chloride, feed limestone, salt and vitamin premixes — a plant, marine and mineral basket with halal-certified sources specified for any animal-derived ingredient.
Paper Mill FeedstocksPaper & Packaging Mill Raw Materials Hub
Procurement hub for integrated and non-integrated paper, board and tissue mills. Sourcing bleached kraft pulp (BHKP and NBSK), dissolving pulp, recovered paper (OCC 11 and DS OCC 12), coating kaolin, ground and precipitated calcium carbonate, native and modified starch, AKD and rosin size, caustic soda, sodium sulphate, hydrogen peroxide and polyethylene coating resin, with breakbulk, container and parcel-tanker freight quoted through LaycanDesk.
Battery FeedstocksBattery & Energy Storage Raw Materials Hub
Procurement hub for cathode and anode material plants, cell makers, stationary-storage integrators and lead-acid battery factories. Sourcing spodumene concentrate, lithium carbonate and hydroxide, MHP and nickel matte, cobalt hydroxide, battery-grade manganese sulphate, natural flake and spherical graphite, electrolytic copper foil and cathode aluminium foil, refined lead and antimony, and carbonate electrolyte solvents, with bulk, container and ISO-tank freight quoted through LaycanDesk.
Drilling FeedstocksOil & Gas Drilling Fluids and Well Materials Hub
Procurement hub for drilling-fluid companies, mud plants, cementing contractors and operator supply bases. Sourcing API 13A barite (4.20 and 4.10 SG), API bentonite, hematite, sized calcium carbonate, xanthan and guar, CMC and PAC, caustic soda, soda ash, lime, calcium chloride, API 10A Class G and H cement, API 19C frac sand, MEG and low-toxicity base oil, with Handysize bulk, container and tanker freight quoted through LaycanDesk to Oman, Fujairah, the Red Sea, the US Gulf, West Africa and Southeast Asia.
Paint & Coatings FeedstocksPaints & Coatings Raw Materials Hub
Raw material hub for decorative, industrial and protective coatings manufacturers. Sourcing rutile and anatase titanium dioxide, pigment carbon black, synthetic iron oxides, ground calcium carbonate, talc, kaolin and barytes extenders, xylene and toluene, plasticisers, glycols, acrylic and vinyl emulsions and epoxy resins, in containers, IBCs, drums and parcel-tanker lots.
Detergent FeedstocksDetergent & Home Care Raw Materials Hub
Raw material hub for powder and liquid detergent, dishwash, toilet soap and home-care plants. Sourcing linear alkylbenzene and LABSA, SLES 70%, dense soda ash, caustic soda, sodium silicate, STPP and zeolite 4A builders, anhydrous sodium sulphate, citric acid, palm-based fatty alcohols and ethoxylates, 80/20 soap noodles, palm stearin and refined glycerine, halal-certified and tallow-free.