Driven by rapid growth in new energy technologies and artificial intelligence applications, demand for copper is entering a new phase as its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity becomes increasingly important in high‑performance systems. Consumption is shifting from traditional infrastructure toward sectors such as new energy vehicles (NEVs), AI data centres, photovoltaic power, wind energy and energy storage.
NEVs alone require three to four-times more copper than conventional vehicles, and combined demand from the main new energy industries is expected to exceed 5.03 million tonnes by 2026. Requirements for deep‑processed copper products, including high‑precision foil and specialty alloys, continue to accelerate. As a result, expanding the scope of copper‑based materials and supporting higher‑end, greener and more intelligent manufacturing has become a strategic priority for the industry.
Copper China 2026 will take place from 8–10 July 2026 in Hall N5 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Organised by
RX China and the
China Nonferrous Metals Fabrication Industry Association,, with support from several sector bodies, the exhibition will provide a technical and commercial platform focused on copper fabrication and downstream applications to support high‑quality and sustainable industry development.
Non‑ferrous metals hubThe event will run alongside four other specialist trade shows -
Aluminium China 2026,
Lightweight Asia 2026,
Magnesium China 2026 and
Shanghai International Metal Recycling Expo 2026 - covering aluminium, magnesium, lightweight structures and metal recycling, forming a comprehensive non‑ferrous metals hub spanning 60,000m, with more than 650 exhibitors and an expected 35,000 professional visitors, including over 4,000 from overseas.
The exhibition will highlight copper applications across NEVs, electrical systems, 3C electronics, energy storage and AI‑integrated industries, with particular focus on new growth areas such as the low‑altitude economy and humanoid robotics. Exhibits will include solutions for electric aircraft motors, high‑voltage systems, robotic joint actuators and thermal management for high‑density electronics.
Confirmed exhibitors include Jintian Copper, Hailiang, Libo Materials, Truchum Materials, Chinalco, Xingye Shengtai, CHMRI, Kaian Materials, Wuxing Copper, Xinyue, Jiarun, SAC, Konform, Proton Products, Xinyongtai Mold, Buhui Machinery, Jingyibo Intelligent, Jinmo Intelligent, Zhongse Zhengrui Copper and Valiant Power.
Alongside the exhibition,
Copper China 2026 will host a programme of technical and strategic events. The 2026
Copper‑Based New Materials Advanced Applications Forum will review development trends, industrialisation pathways, performance optimisation and global standards in copper‑based materials.
Industry–academia collaborationA dedicated display area on lightweight materials and industry–academia collaboration will present copper applications in NEVs, consumer electronics, low‑altitude aircraft and humanoid robots, while showcasing R&D achievements from universities, research institutes and innovative enterprises.
The exhibition will also run a precision business‑matching programme supported by RX China’s global buyer network. Covering pre‑show, on‑site and year‑round services, it is expected to generate more than 1,100 one‑to‑one meetings annually, helping exhibitors expand customer networks and build long‑term partnerships.
International outreach will target buyers from emerging markets and key application regions, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. More than 4,000 overseas visitors from over 100 countries and regions are expected, strengthening cooperation in technology, production capacity and trade across the copper value chain.