China: AI computing sparks a copper rush in China.

Storyline AI computing sparks a copper rush in China As AI fuels a growing need for computing hardware, one of the most essential items, copper, is in short supply in China. In east China's Jiangxi Province, production lines at a copper processing plant are running around the clock to meet demand. Li Yibiao, head, copper processer: "Our products are mainly used on liquid-cooling kits for AI computing chips. The monthly production is over 2,000 tons. Now we have over 500 regular customers and the orders increased by 30 percent compared to last year." In east China's Anhui Province, meanwhile, this company makes "hyper very low profiles", or HVLP copper foil, which is a major ingredient in printed circuit boards for AI servers. Experts say the data signaling rate with HVLP copper foil is 70 percent faster than with traditional copper foil. Data shows that demand for HVLP copper exceeds supplies from Q4 of last year. Yin Dawei, general manager, copper processer: "Especially the hyper very low profiles for AI computing and reverse-treated foil matched with 5G technology are best sellers. The prices of these products increased by 30 to 50 percent from December last year." The amount of copper needed to meet AI computing demand last year was roughly 28 million tons. By 2040 that number is expected to increase to 42 million tons. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]