Why Recover?
Recovering redundant copper is both an economic and strategic move that supports telecom companies
Copper
Demand for copper remains exceptionally strong due to its essential role in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Renewable energy infrastructure, including wind and solar power, electric vehicles, charging networks, and grid modernisation programmes, all require substantial quantities of copper because of its superior electrical conductivity and reliability.
At the same time, copper supply is increasingly constrained. Mining is capital-intensive, slow to scale, and challenged by declining ore grades, environmental regulations, and geopolitical risks. As electrification, digital infrastructure expansion, and decarbonisation accelerate faster than new supply can be brought online, existing copper assets are becoming increasingly valuable.
Our technology enables clients to recover and monetise these valuable assets efficiently delivering financial returns while contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency.
Fibre Networks
Fibre networks are essential as they represent the only scalable and future-proof solution capable of supporting the rapidly increasing demands of modern digital economies. Fibre delivers multi-gigabit and even terabit-level speeds, far exceeding the performance limits of copper-based networks.
This capacity is critical for cloud computing, high-definition streaming, artificial intelligence, and other data-intensive applications. In addition, fibre networks consume significantly less power per bit transmitted than copper, reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Next-generation technologies including 5G and 6G mobile networks, smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and edge computing are all dependent on dense, high-capacity fibre backhaul.
Benefits of Recovery
Transform your infrastructure challenges into opportunities
Cost Effective
Typically, our extraction costs are more than 60% lower than traditional excavation and reinstatement methods in urban and city environments and with current copper prices being so high the process of recovering copper should prove to be a route to additional revenue regardless of your desire to lay fibre.
Following extraction, the existing cable sheaths can be reused as ducts for new fibre or replacement cables, eliminating the need for costly new duct installation. In addition, the risk of damage to existing utilities and surrounding infrastructure along with the associated repair costs is virtually eliminated.
Beyond the revenue benefits, this approach significantly reduces cost and disruption to the surrounding environment. By avoiding open-cut excavation, traffic management requirements, surface reinstatement, and extended project timelines are minimized, making the process faster, safer, and more acceptable to local authorities and stakeholders.
Fast
Project mobilisation and commencement are significantly accelerated. Reduced excavation requirements mean fewer planning permissions are needed, avoiding lengthy approval processes related to road, footpath, or site closures and reinstatement. In conservation areas, where trenching permission may be restricted or denied altogether, this approach provides a critical alternative.
Operational speed is also substantially improved. A single F2F crew of three to four personnel can extract in excess of 500 metres per day (subject to cable type and environmental conditions), compared to 50–200 metres per day typically achieved by conventional excavation crews, depending on location.
This accelerated delivery enables faster network upgrades, quicker routes to market, and earlier revenue generation—supporting business growth and increased market share.
Why Plug Group’s Approach Works
Our unique methodology addresses every aspect of copper recovery
Economic Value
Turn dormant assets into active revenue streams
Strategic Planning
Enable infrastructure modernization with fibre
Regulatory Compliance
Meet legal requirements and avoid penalties
Our innovative technology enables the extraction and replacement of the copper core from legacy copper and coaxial cables, unlocking the high residual value of copper while repurposing the existing cable sheaths as ducts for new optical fibre or replacement power cables.
This approach is particularly effective in urban environments, where access constraints and congestion make traditional network upgrades costly and disruptive. By reusing existing infrastructure, our solution delivers significant economic, technological, and environmental benefits.
It substantially reduces the need for civil engineering works and cable-pulling activities, while providing a viable pathway for deploying new networks where no alternative duct routes exist.
Ready to Start?
Discover how copper recovery can transform your telecommunications infrastructure strategy.