Paid for what it is really worth.
Cable is one of the most common surplus items on UAE projects. Drums are ordered for a design that changes, lengths are cut and left over, and whole reels come back to the store unused. Cable holds a lot of copper or aluminium, so it holds its value well.
We assess cable in two ways. New or unused drums with readable labels can often be resold as cable, which is worth more than the metal. Offcuts and scrap cable are priced on the metal they contain: conductor type, cross-section and insulation all affect that recovery.
Clean copper and busbar are covered on our copper and brass page. Cable trays, panels and switchgear are under electrical surplus.
Examples of what we buy
Typical cable & wire scrap of the kind we value and collect.
Cable & Wire Scrap we purchase
New cable drums
Unused power, control and instrumentation cable on original drums.
Armoured power cable
SWA and AWA cable, XLPE and PVC insulated, LV and MV.
Copper building wire
Single-core and multi-core wire from fit-outs and projects.
Aluminium cable
Aluminium conductor power and overhead cable.
Control & instrumentation cable
Multi-pair and screened cable from industrial projects.
Data & telecom cable
Cat cable, fibre and telecom cable surplus.
Cable offcuts & scrap
Mixed lengths, damaged cable and strip-out wire.
Steel wire rope
Crane rope, slings and lifting wire rope.
Cable accessories
Glands, lugs, joints and termination kits.
Not on the list? If it is surplus and has value, ask us. We probably buy it.
What affects the price
No two lots are the same. These are the factors we look at when valuing cable & wire scrap.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Usable vs. scrap | Full, labelled, unused drums can be resold. That is worth considerably more than metal recovery. |
| Conductor metal | Copper conductors are worth more than aluminium. Tinned or plated copper is graded separately. |
| Copper recovery % | Cross-section, number of cores, armour and insulation thickness decide how much metal is in each kilo. |
| Length & drum condition | Long continuous lengths on sound drums are more saleable than short cut pieces. |
| Labels & specs | Legible drum labels (size, cores, standard, manufacturer) make new cable much easier to value. |
What to send us
The more we know up front, the sharper the first figure. Rough numbers are fine.
- Photos of drum labels or the print on the cable sheath
- Cable size (for example 4C x 240 mm²), type and approximate length or weight
- Whether drums are full, part-used, or cable is loose or cut
- Location and how drums can be lifted (forklift, crane)
Four simple steps
- Inquiry: send photos, a list or quantities by the quote form, phone or email.
- Valuation: we reply with an indication, typically within 12 hours, and visit the site to confirm where needed.
- Payment: agree the figure and get paid quickly, with no drawn-out terms.
- Pickup: our team loads and removes the material anywhere in the Emirates.
Cable & Wire Scrap: common questions
Do you buy part-used cable drums?
Yes. Part-used drums are fine. Tell us the approximate remaining length and the cable specification from the sheath print, and we will value it for resale where possible.
How is scrap cable priced?
Scrap cable is priced on its estimated metal recovery. That is the share of copper or aluminium by weight, multiplied by the metal price, less the cost of processing. Thick single-core cable recovers more metal than thin multi-core cable.
Should I strip or burn cable before selling it?
Never burn cable. It is illegal, dangerous and damages the metal. Stripping is only worthwhile for certain cable types. We are happy to buy cable as it is.
Do you buy steel wire rope?
Yes. Used and surplus wire rope, crane rope and slings are bought as ferrous material or, for unused rope, valued for resale.
Related categories and service areas
Selling cable & wire scrap?
Tell us what you have. We reply with a no-obligation valuation, typically within 12 hours.