Berry/Candy Copper Scrap (Grade 2) – ISRI No.1 Premium Copper

Introduction

Berry Candy Copper Scrap (ISRI No.1 Copper) represents the highest grade of copper scrap in the recycling and metallurgical industries. This premium-quality material consists of clean, unalloyed copper wire and heavy copper solids with a minimum copper content of 99%. It is free from coatings, solder, or any foreign attachments, making it ideal for refining and direct copper production.

Berry Candy Copper Scrap is considered the “gold standard” of copper scrap grades. Its high purity allows smelters and refiners to produce electrolytic copper cathodes or high-conductivity copper rods with minimal loss and processing cost.

Composition and Classification

Berry Candy Copper Scrap includes two closely related ISRI specifications:

• Berry: No.1 copper wire that is clean, uncoated, and untinned. It must be free from burnt or brittle wire and have a bright reddish color.

• Candy: No.1 heavy copper solids and tubing — such as bus bars, punchings, commutator segments, and clean copper pipe.

Together, these form the Berry/Candy category, often sold in a mixed form for export.

How It Differs from Birch/Cliff

While Berry/Candy and Birch/Cliff are both popular grades of copper scrap, they belong to different quality tiers.

As the table shows, Berry/Candy offers far better purity and yield, which directly translates to a higher market price and efficiency in smelting operations.

Production and Sourcing

Berry/Candy scrap is sourced primarily from:

• Electrical and electronic industries: large-diameter cables, transformers, switchboards.

• Industrial manufacturing: copper bus bars, heavy conductors, and plumbing systems.

• Recycling yards: dismantled copper components that undergo stripping, cleaning, and visual inspection.

Each piece is hand-sorted to ensure it meets ISRI No.1 specifications. After quality verification, the scrap is baled or packed into jumbo bags for export shipment.

Applications and Uses

Due to its high copper content, Berry Candy scrap is the preferred material in:

• Electrolytic copper refining plants (for cathode production)

• Wire and cable manufacturers (to produce pure copper conductors)

• Brass and bronze alloying operations

• Secondary smelters aiming for consistent copper yield

Its minimal impurities reduce refining costs and increase metal recovery rates — a key factor for high-efficiency production.

Export, Packaging & Quality Control

• HS Code: 7404.00 (Copper waste and scrap)

• Standard Packing: Pressed bales or 1 MT jumbo bags in 20/40 ft containers

• Inspection: COA, radioactivity test, visual & moisture analysis before loading

• Ports of Export: Mersin, Jebel Ali, Mundra, Hamburg, and Antwerp

• Documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, and COA

Every shipment follows ISRI international guidelines, ensuring consistent quality for global buyers.

Environmental & Economic Benefits

Recycling Berry Candy scrap helps save up to 85% energy compared to primary copper mining. It contributes to sustainable metal production, reduces CO₂ emissions, and supports the circular economy. For refineries, it provides a cost-effective alternative to pure cathode purchases while maintaining the same metal quality after refining.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What purity does Berry Candy Copper Scrap have?
→ Typically ≥ 99% pure copper, with no coatings or solder residues.

Q2: How is it different from Birch/Cliff?
→ Birch/Cliff is No.2 Copper (94–96% purity), slightly oxidized; Berry/Candy is No.1 Copper with bright and clean surfaces.

Q3: Is Berry/Candy ready for direct melting?
→ Yes. It can be directly charged into furnaces for refining or alloying.

Q4: Why is Berry/Candy more expensive?
→ Because of its higher copper purity, lower melting loss, and reduced processing cost.

Q5: Where is it commonly exported?
→ India, China, Turkey, and Europe are the top importers of Berry Candy scrap.