Shredded Taint Scrap Price

No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules Scrap consists of chopped or shredded unalloyed copper-wire particles recovered through mechanical wire recycling. Commonly called copper nodules, copper chops or copper granules, this material is produced when waste electrical cables are processed to separate copper from insulation and other components.

Under the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) specification Cobra, qualifying No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules must contain at least 97% copper. The specification allows limited residual aluminum, other metals and insulation, making Cobra a distinct processed-copper grade from cleaner No. 1 Copper Wire Nodules.

What Are No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules?

No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules are small pieces of recovered copper produced by cutting, chopping or shredding copper-wire scrap.

Most commercial nodules come from mechanical wire-processing systems that separate metal conductors from plastic insulation and other cable components.

After processing, the copper is collected as relatively small particles that can be sampled, graded and supplied to secondary-metal processors.

The material may come from electrical wire, industrial power cable, manufacturing scrap or other copper-bearing cable streams.

What determines the final scrap grade is not simply where the copper came from, but whether the processed material meets the required composition and contamination specification.

ReMA Cobra: Official #2 Copper Wire Nodules Specification

The Recycled Materials Association maintains the ISRI Specifications used by buyers and sellers of recycled commodities.

Cobra is the standardized code for No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules.

Under this specification, the material must consist of chopped or shredded No. 2 unalloyed copper-wire scrap nodules containing at least 97% copper.

Maximum Permitted Impurities

• Aluminum: 0.50%
• Other individual metals: 1% each
• Insulation: 1%

The finished material must satisfy both the minimum copper-content requirement and the applicable impurity limits.

These are maximum allowances, not target contamination levels. Cleaner material may be accepted under Cobra when it meets the specification and the commercial agreement.

Hydraulically compacted material is subject to agreement between the buyer and seller.

What Does 97% Copper Content Mean?

The 97% figure describes the minimum copper concentration of the finished nodule material. It is not a guarantee that a wire-recycling machine recovers 97% of the copper originally entering the processing line.

For example, a 100-pound batch meeting the minimum copper-content requirement must contain at least 97 pounds of copper.

The balance consists of permitted residual material, subject to the separate impurity limits.

Important distinction: Copper purity measures the composition of the processed product. Copper recovery measures how much copper is recovered from the original feedstock. These are different performance measurements.

How Are Copper Wire Nodules Produced?

Copper nodules are typically made through mechanical wire and cable recycling.

Commercial processing equipment breaks down electrical cable and separates the recoverable metal from insulation, shielding and other unwanted materials.

A typical wire-processing operation may include:

1. Receiving and sorting: Copper-bearing cables are inspected and separated from incompatible materials.
2. Pre-processing: Large connectors, fittings and unwanted attachments are removed where necessary.
3. Shredding: Wire and cable are reduced into smaller sections.
4. Granulation: Further cutting separates conductor metal from insulation.
5. Ferrous separation: Magnets remove suitable iron and steel contamination.
6. Density separation: Air tables or other systems separate heavier copper particles from lighter insulation.
7. Additional purification: Screening, electrostatic or other separation methods may reduce residual contamination.
8. Quality control: The recovered copper is inspected and assessed against the purchasing specification.

The finished copper may be sold as nodules, chops or granules, depending on its composition and the receiving buyer's terminology.

Not every facility uses the same equipment or processing sequence.

#2 Copper Wire Nodules vs. #1 Copper Wire Nodules

The difference between Cobra and Clove is especially important for processors selling high-copper-content material.

Clove establishes a cleaner specification than Cobra. However, a load containing more than 97% copper does not automatically qualify as Clove.

It must also satisfy Clove's feedstock and contamination requirements.

For the companion material, see No. 1 Copper Wire Nodules Scrap.

#2 Copper Wire Nodules vs. No. 2 Copper Wire

Although their names are similar, the two grades describe different forms of scrap.

Birch: No. 2 Copper Wire consists of miscellaneous unalloyed copper wire with nominal 96% copper content and a minimum of 94%, as determined by electrolytic assay.

Cobra: No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules consists of chopped or shredded No. 2 unalloyed copper wire with at least 97% copper.

Birch is a wire-grade specification, while Cobra applies to processed nodules.

Granulating wire does not automatically make the finished product Cobra. The recovered copper must still meet the required purity and contamination limits.

Learn more in the No. 2 Copper Wire Scrap Guide.

Copper Nodules vs. Insulated Copper Wire

Insulated copper wire contains copper conductors enclosed in plastic, rubber or other insulation.

It is commonly bought according to the amount of copper expected to be recovered after processing.

Copper nodules are a downstream product made after most of that insulation has been removed.

For this reason, the percentage of copper in finished nodules is generally much higher than in the original insulated cable feedstock.

However, the original insulated-wire recovery percentage and finished nodule purity should not be confused.

For the related feedstock category, see No. 2 Insulated Copper Wire Scrap.

Are Copper Nodules, Copper Chops and Copper Granules the Same?

The three terms are often used interchangeably in commercial recycling.

They generally describe small copper pieces produced through mechanical cable processing.

However, terminology alone does not determine the accepted grade.

A shipment described as copper chops may be purchased as Cobra, Clove, Cocoa or another buyer-defined specification, depending on copper content, contamination and material origin.

For commercial transactions, the written grade and agreed quality requirements should take precedence over informal descriptions.

What Is the Difference Between Cobra and Cocoa?

ReMA also maintains a separate specification called Cocoa: Copper Wire Nodules.

Cocoa requires at least 99% copper and establishes additional impurity limits, including maximum levels for aluminum, tin, nickel, antimony and iron.

Cobra requires a minimum of 97% copper and has a different set of impurity allowances.

Both describe processed unalloyed copper-wire material, but they should not be treated as interchangeable commercial grades.

Processors marketing high-purity copper granules should establish which exact specification their product meets before offering a shipment.

What Contaminants Are Found in Copper Wire Nodules?

Residual contamination can enter the copper stream during cable collection, chopping, separation or storage.

Common examples include:

Aluminum

Aluminum may enter a copper processing line through mixed aluminum-conductor cable, shielding or other cable components. Cobra limits aluminum to 0.50%.

Insulation

Small plastic or rubber particles may remain after mechanical separation. The Cobra insulation limit is 1%.

Other Metals

Steel, tin-bearing material, lead-containing components and other metallic contamination can affect the copper fraction. Cobra establishes a 1% maximum for each other individual metal.

Dirt and Foreign Material

Dust, debris, packaging and other unrelated material can interfere with commercial acceptance, sampling and downstream processing.

Important: The 97% minimum copper requirement remains in force even when individual impurity limits are not exceeded.

Why Is Aluminum Contamination Important?

Aluminum is a frequent concern in mixed wire-processing operations because electrical cable can contain copper or aluminum conductors, as well as different types of metallic shielding.

When aluminum enters the copper-granule stream, it changes the composition of the finished material.

This can affect downstream metal processing and the ability to meet a buyer's required chemistry.

Separating copper-conductor and aluminum-conductor cables before granulation can reduce the amount of aluminum that must be removed later.

For Cobra, aluminum must not exceed 0.50% of the finished material.

How Does Tin Contamination Affect Copper Granules?

Some electrical wires contain tin-plated copper conductors.

During shredding and granulation, tinned copper particles can become mixed with uncoated copper granules.

Because the two materials may be similar in size and appearance, complete separation can be challenging.

Commercial processors may use additional screening, air classification and quality-control procedures to improve the consistency of the finished copper product.

Whether tinned material qualifies for Cobra depends on the actual copper concentration, applicable individual-metal limits and buyer requirements.

Can #2 Copper Wire Nodules Contain Plastic Insulation?

Yes, within the specification.

ReMA Cobra permits a maximum of 1% insulation.

Small residual particles may remain after mechanical processing, but excessive insulation can cause a load to fall outside the accepted grade.

Visible plastic contamination should therefore be investigated rather than treated as an acceptable characteristic of all #2 nodules.

For large shipments, representative sampling is more reliable than judging purity by appearance alone.

How Are Copper Nodule Shipments Tested?

Industrial buyers may use sampling, analytical testing and physical inspection to confirm that the delivered material meets the agreed specification.

Depending on the contract, quality-control checks may address:

• Total copper concentration
• Aluminum content
• Other metallic impurities
• Residual insulation and nonmetallic material
• Moisture
• Particle size and consistency
• Foreign objects or debris
• Shipment weight and packaging

The specific sampling method, analytical procedure, allowable moisture and settlement adjustments should be agreed upon before shipment.

Commercial guidance: A visual inspection cannot establish that a load meets the 97% copper specification. Analytical verification may be necessary where copper content affects pricing or acceptance.

Can #2 Copper Wire Nodules Be Hydraulically Compacted?

Yes, provided the buyer and seller agree.

ReMA Cobra specifically states that hydraulically compacted material is subject to buyer-seller agreement.

Compaction can change the handling and packaging characteristics of the material, but it does not improve copper chemistry by itself.

Before compacting a shipment, confirm whether the buyer accepts loose nodules, compacted material or both.

Compaction may also affect how a buyer performs inspection and sampling, so commercial requirements should be established in advance.

#2 Copper Wire Nodules Scrap Prices

No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules are high-copper-content processed scrap, but their purchase price is not necessarily identical to Bare Bright Copper, No. 1 Copper Wire or ordinary No. 2 Copper Wire.

Buyers may consider:

• Copper content: Verified concentration in the finished nodules
• ReMA grade: Cobra versus another accepted specification
• Metal contamination: Aluminum, tin, iron and other elements
• Insulation: Residual plastic or rubber content
• Moisture: Water or other unwanted liquid
• Processing consistency: Uniformity of particle size and composition
• Market conditions: Copper prices and downstream demand
• Quantity: Shipment size and supply consistency
• Freight: Transportation and delivery location
• Commercial terms: Inspection, assay, deductions and payment arrangements

Available #2 Copper Wire Nodules Prices

Review any available RecyclingMonster grade-specific price observations below. Confirm that they refer explicitly to No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules or Cobra, rather than a related wire or copper grade.

Check the observation date, location, currency and weight unit before comparing prices.

price

For broader market context, see Copper Scrap Prices.

General copper prices are not direct Cobra purchase quotations and should not be presented as such.

Are #2 Copper Wire Nodules Worth the Same as Bare Bright Copper?

There is no universal price relationship between No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules and Bare Bright Copper.

Bare Bright Copper is a wire-grade product, while Cobra is a processed nodule grade with its own minimum copper content and impurity limits.

Both contain valuable copper, but the purchasing specifications and downstream processing requirements differ.

Compare actual grade-specific quotations rather than assuming that all high-copper-content scrap receives the same price.

How to Improve #2 Copper Wire Nodule Value

For cable processors and commercial sellers, value preservation begins with consistent feedstock and effective separation.

1. Separate conductor metals: Keep known aluminum cable apart from copper feedstock.
2. Control tin contamination: Identify tinned copper feedstock where practical.
3. Remove ferrous material: Use suitable magnetic separation for ordinary iron and steel contamination.
4. Improve insulation separation: Maintain granulation and separation equipment to reduce plastic carryover.
5. Monitor finished quality: Use appropriate testing when the contract requires chemical or physical analysis.
6. Keep material dry: Protect stored nodules from unnecessary moisture and debris.
7. Maintain separate grades: Do not blend Clove-quality material into Cobra shipments when separate pricing is available.
8. Confirm compaction: Obtain buyer approval before hydraulically compacting material.
9. Preserve traceability: Record production batches, source streams and inspection results where practical.
10. Verify buying terms: Confirm accepted impurity levels, assay methods and settlement conditions before shipment.

Producing a cleaner and more consistent shipment may improve its commercial attractiveness, although any price premium depends on the buyer and market conditions.

How Are #2 Copper Wire Nodules Recycled?

Once accepted by a downstream processor, qualifying copper nodules can enter suitable secondary-copper production processes.

Depending on the buyer's needs and the material's chemistry, further preparation, refining or controlled melting may be required.

A receiving operation may:

1. Verify the shipment's weight and grade
2. Inspect and sample the material
3. Determine whether additional impurity removal is necessary
4. Prepare the nodules for an appropriate metallurgical process
5. Recover or refine copper to meet downstream specifications
6. Supply the recovered copper for suitable manufacturing applications

The processing route depends on copper quality, remaining impurities and the intended product. Not every nodule shipment can be used directly in every copper-manufacturing process.

Where Can You Sell #2 Copper Wire Nodules?

No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules may be purchased by specialized copper processors, nonferrous scrap companies, secondary-metal producers and suitable refining businesses.

Not every local scrap yard maintains a dedicated Cobra category. A facility purchasing general copper wire or insulated cable may not necessarily purchase processed nodules under the ReMA specification.

yards

Use RecyclingMonster's Metal Recycling Centers Directory to research nonferrous scrap buyers and industrial metal processors.

The Recycle an Item directory also allows searches for copper chops, copper wire and related materials.

For each potential buyer, confirm that it accepts Cobra-grade nodules and establish the relevant testing, quantity and delivery requirements before shipping.

Selling Bulk #2 Copper Wire Nodules: Commercial Requirements

Wire granulators, cable-recycling facilities, industrial scrap processors and secondary-metal suppliers may generate commercial quantities of copper nodules.

For bulk sales, a written material specification can help avoid disputes over purity, moisture and contamination.

Important purchasing details include:

• Required Cobra specification
• Minimum accepted copper content
• Aluminum contamination limits
• Other individual-metal limits
• Residual insulation allowance
• Sampling procedures and testing method
• Moisture requirements
• Loose versus hydraulically compacted material
• Accepted particle size and consistency
• Minimum shipment weight
• Packaging and container requirements
• Pickup or delivery responsibilities
• Freight and processing charges
• Inspection, rejection and downgrade provisions
• Payment and settlement arrangements

Processors supplying regular loads should maintain consistent material identification and quality-control records so that successive shipments can be evaluated against the same commercial requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About #2 Copper Wire Nodules

Material information notice: No. 2 Copper Wire Nodules Scrap specifications are based on the ReMA/ISRI Cobra description. Material purity, moisture, impurity limits, testing methods, purchasing prices and buyer acceptance must be confirmed for the actual shipment. Reported copper prices are not necessarily Cobra quotations. Final trading and settlement requirements depend on the buyer-seller agreement.