Copper is a critical material for energy transition and green technologies, making its sustainable use increasingly important. Its superior thermal and electrical conductivity make it highly well-suited for additive manufacturing (AM). In this study, copper sourced from offshore electrical cables was upcycled to produce high-quality metal powder for AM. The scrap was processed to separate the metal from plastic and rubber, then refined through ultrasonic atomization, achieving a purity of ~99.5% wt.% with minimal impurities. Characterization demonstrated good flowability, apparent and tap densities, and a well-distributed particle size. To assess its performance in AM, the powder was printed using Directed Energy Deposition (DED) with a laser beam, confirming its high printability and compatibility with the base material. Finally, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) revealed a significant environmental advantage of the recycling-based process over conventional mining, reducing global warming potential by more than 70%. These findings highlight the importance of feedstock origin in AM sustainability and support the adoption of circular economy strategies to lower the environmental footprint of advanced manufacturing.
Cabrioli et al. (Sat,) studied this question.