Commodity markets

Nornickel metals’ applications

Mechanical engineering, chemical and petrochemical industries, construction

Nickel is used in the stainless steel production. Adding nickel as an alloying element to stabilise the austenite structure enhances steel’s corrosion resistance, high-temperature properties, weldability, formability, and resistance to aggressive environments. Enhanced this way by nickel, stainless steel finds its applications across many industries, including the mechanical engineering, chemical and petrochemical industries, and construction

EV batteries

Nickel is used as a key element in the production of precursor cathode active materials for EV batteries. The dominating technologies include nickel-intensive NCM and NCA batteries, owing to their higher volumetric and gravimetric energy density, which increases drive range. Nickel-based batteries are also more recyclable and reusable than other types of batteries

Aerospace industry

Nickel alloys are highly resistant to heat and aggressive environments and are used in the manufacturing of aircraft engines and rocket components

Renewable energy

Nickel alloys are used in wind, solar and geothermal power generation

Renewable energy

Copper is intensively used in the construction of wind, solar and other types of renewable power plants

Automotive industry

The automotive industry uses copper in batteries, electric motors, inverters, wiring, and charging infrastructure. Transport electrification is expected to become a key driver behind copper demand in this decade

Construction, air conditioning and cooling systems

The construction sector uses copper in pipes and tubing, heating and cooling systems as well as in wall cladding. Electrical and communication cables are also mostly made of copper

Electronics and home appliances

Copper is used in electronics and home appliances due to its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity

Network infrastructure

Copper is used in power generation, transmission and distribution as well as in all types of wiring. A strong push for transport electrification and transition to renewable energy will require significant expansion of distribution networks

Mechanical engineering, chemical and petrochemical industries, construction

Palladium, platinum and rhodium are used as catalysts in chemical and petrochemical processes to boost process performance

Automotive industry

Palladium, platinum and rhodium are used as the active material in automotive exhaust gas catalysts to minimise the vehicles’ environmental impact

Electronics and home appliances

Palladium has found its way into the electronics industry as material for capacitors, motherboards and other components, while platinum is primarily used in hard drives, and rhodium in coatings for connectors and contacts

Hydrogen solutions

Platinum, palladium, iridium, and ruthenium are widely used in rapidly developing hydrogen technologies. Platinum group metals find application as catalysts in low-carbon hydrogen production as well as for hydrogen purification, transportation and use as an energy source in fuel cells

Jewellery

Palladium and platinum are widely used in all kinds of jewellery which is renowned for its beauty but also for durability

Healthcare

PGMs are extensively used as catalysts in drug synthesis. Additionally, palladium has found wide application in dentistry, while platinum is used in medical devices such as pacemakers. Platinum is also an active ingredient of anti-cancer medicines

Glass fibre and optical glass manufacturing

In the glass industry, platinum and rhodium are used to manufacture bushings for making glass fibre and optical glass