Several materials typically thought of as critical have now become strategic metals. Lithium and cobalt are two of the most notable because they are vital for electronics, sustainable power, and EVs. Copper is also on the list. We want to have a closer look at that here. Then, if you need to arrange services like tube manipulation for various applications, you can rely on us to deliver them effectively.

Value

You just have to look at the price of copper to get an idea of how strategic it has become. According to the latest figures, it is up 30% year on year. So far in 2026 it is up 15.8%. That’s impressive growth and showcases how tight supplies are becoming.

To further prove the point, we can compare the performance of copper to gold. It’s been a more difficult period for gold, with the spot price and futures both dipping by over 4% in 2026 and year on year. While it will seemingly always be an important asset, other materials have become more sought-after for their strategic value.

Importance

As we said already, materials like lithium and cobalt are become strategic because they are crucial for key applications. Copper is in the same boat. It’s useful for electronics, infrastructure (particularly energy), construction, defence, and much more. As a result, more countries are viewing it as an asset they need to secure for future economic growth and national security. Talk to us about tube manipulation and other services.

With copper becoming a strategic metal, it’s actually become harder to source. The US has the lion’s share of supplies. At the same time, inventories in many other countries are low, including China. This puts more pressure on mining operations around the world.

Concern

Interestingly there is some concern about what could happen in the future. One of the things driving demand is the tech industry, particularly AI and data centres. There is fear the bubble could burst, with spending dropping massively. This has even had an impact on the value of numerous tech businesses recently.

However, many experts believe copper demand will persist even if the AI bubble does burst. The sector is likely to continue growing, as are others like EVs, defence, and infrastructure. That means copper will still be a key strategic metal.

Get the best results with tube manipulation and more

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd appreciates how important materials like copper and steel are. We have a lot of experience with them, adapting tubing in different ways for a gigantic list of applications. Clients can rely on us to achieve the highest standards.

So, get in touch and tell us what you need in terms of tube manipulation. We provide bending, ring rolling, several types of end forming, drilling, and more. You can get a bespoke package of services from us to save time and costs. Plus, we can even offer solutions like partial assembly.