25 Maximising resources
How are you adapting to the ever-changing metals market? Simon Walker from SIG Zinc and Copper looks at how, as availability causes shifts in specification, architects need to adapt not only their understanding but also their designs
A
s we move into the latter part of 2023, a scenario suppliers are coming across more often in design and specification is the need to highlight the impact the metals market is having on architects’ designs.
For many years copper represented the ideal material for roofing and cladding. It’s easy to work with thanks to its malleability, and for designers, it offers a unique visual finish. Copper ages over time, acting like a living metal, with the colour changing as the initially bright and shiny material acquires a patina over the course of its life. This is a win-win for both architect and contractor. However, in the latter stages of 2022, volatility in the metals market started to bring challenges into the specification of metals. Prices began to rise as demand shifted and stock reduced. We predicted this would continue into this year, and unfortunately, it’s a prediction which has come true.
ADF OCTOBER 2023
What does that mean for architects looking to incorporate traditional metals such as copper into their designs? The immediate challenge is to accommodate the impact of specifying a metal which has traditionally been cheaper and now commands a higher price than previously seen. Right now, availability for copper is more restricted, which is feeding into this pricing. We’ve seen – in particular – constraints coming from agreements over minimum order quantities. Both suppliers and contractors are looking to purchase minimal amounts to hedge their bets against rising prices. This leads to ongoing confusion and difficulty in purchasing the required stock.
Shifting demands Markets are ever-evolving, and we’ve seen a repositioning taking place, with zinc and aluminium coming to the front.
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Markets are ever-evolving – and we’ve seen a repositioning taking place, with zinc and aluminium coming to the front
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