Romco adds copper to its portfolio

London-based recycled-content aluminum producer Romco Group Ltd. has expanded its product range to include premium copper ingots.

Romco has for several years melted aluminum scrap to make recycled-content ingots, and the company says the new development marks the next stage in its “mission to transform the production of metal to help solve the climate crisis.”

“Our dedication to unlocking nonferrous metal recycling potential in emerging markets has led us to explore opportunities in copper," Romco says. "Previously, Romco focused on aluminum ingots. Now, utilizing a state-of-the-art copper induction furnace at our Lagos, Nigeria, facility, we have successfully smelted copper into ingots with approximately 99 percent purity.”

Romco says its decision to produce copper ingots is tied to its “understanding of Africa’s potential as a truly circular economy,” involving investing in a sustainable future and “actively working to minimize waste and inefficiencies and to grow our responsiveness to a global problem.”

Romco Group CEO Raymond Onovwigun says, “We are grateful for the support and confidence our team members, partners and investors have shown in our vision. As we note this milestone, we maintain our focus on supplying high-quality materials without causing environmental harm. We are confident that our copper ingots will contribute to the growth of the recycling industry, including our partners and the wider communities we work in.”

The company says it undertook extensive testing last year before shipping its first copper ingots to Central Asia early this year. It says its production will ramp up throughout 2023.

“We believe that a sustainable future is achievable through investment in renewable resources and replacing wasteful, polluting practices," Onovwigun says. "Our copper ingots are a tangible representation of this belief, and we are proud to introduce this premium product for the global market.”