Copper Development Association

THE COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOC I AT ION members. Everything we do is backed by science and research. We do codes and standards work to make sure copper is properly positioned; we work with regulatory bodies; we have a strong team in the area of health, environment, and sustainable development.” Passek adds that, in addition to helping to build relationships within the copper community – producers, fabricators, recyclers, etc.– the CDA also helps tell the story of copper to a wider audience in a way that an individual company or manufacturer might not be able to do. “We do an awful lot of work with the end-user community,” he states. “For example, years ago, we had the Flint water crisis. Everybody was very interested in the potential opportunity that it might present from a business perspective, but, quite frankly, that wasn’t the right way to pursue it. My technical team of experts reached out to the City of Flint to help them address their water issue with lead service line replacements. We told them how we worked with other municipalities; we talked to them about the value of copper and its long-term durability, its reliability in delivering clean and safe water, and the fact that it has a 75-year life. Oftentimes, people will look at that initial cost model and say, ‘copper is a little bit more expensive than other materials,’ yet the lifecycle and long-term value of copper makes it a very economical solution. We worked with the City of Flint, gave them technical advice, and it ended up helping them decide that they wanted to utilize copper as a long-term solution to their issue. That’s not something, typically, that a company can do. So, we really put our experts out in the field, working with end users in helping them understand the value of copper, how it’s to be appropriately applied, and some of its economic benefits. And then, if the opportunity presents itself, we make those introductions to our various members so that they can grow their business and grow the pie for copper.” While copper may be one of the oldest metals used by humans, Passek maintains that it’s also a 21st century material. “It’s critical for renewable energy systems – wind, solar, and hydro,” he asserts. “It also contributes to the circular economy through reuse and recycling - copper