Copper: Essential for Innovation

Copper and its alloys have been used by human civilization for over six thousand years. The strength, durability, resistance to corrosion, aesthetic qualities and workability of copper contributed greatly to the development of early civilizations. More recently, copper’s intrinsic properties of high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity and antimicrobial efficacy have been essential to air conditioning systems, high-efficiency electrical motors, electronics connectors, high-speed/high-bandwidth data communications, and as surfaces that prevent marine biofouling in heat exchangers, sea water desalination plants and aquaculture cages.

The mission of the International Copper Association (ICA) is to “Advance copper as the material of choice for current markets and new applications given its superior attributes in terms of technical performance, aesthetic value, sustainability, essentiality for life, and its contributions to a higher standard of living.”

A key initiative within the ICA is its Technology program. It is the goal of the Technology initiative at the ICA to continue to keep copper at the cutting edge of technology.