Nickel (symbol Ni, atomic number 28) is a critical raw material that underpins a wide range of modern technologies. Known for its corrosion resistance, high-temperature stability, strength and flexibility, it is a valuable material in the transition to a circular economy.
In the periodic table, nickel sits alongside iron, cobalt and copper. It is a silver-grey, hard and malleable metal found abundantly in the Earth’s crust and core. Its unique properties include ferromagnetism (it becomes magnetic when exposed to external magnetic fields) and catalytic abilities (it helps speed up chemical reactions without being consumed). Nickel supports key applications such as rechargeable batteries, electronics, aerospace and automotive components. Approximately 70% of all newly mined nickel is used in stainless steel production.
Nickel is valued for its affordability, offering strong performance at a relatively accessible cost compared with other specialty metals. Its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity makes it well suited for electronic and data-storage applications. Durable and corrosion-resistant, nickel coatings are widely used in electroplating to protect and enhance metal surfaces.
Umicore is an experienced player in the sourcing, refining and recycling of this important metal.
Nickel at a glance
Foundation of modern infrastructure
Nickel is the backbone of austenitic stainless steel, which is used widely in construction, chemical processing, architecture, and household goods such as cutlery and sinks.
Diverse applications
Beyond steel and batteries, thin nickel plating is used for decorative or anti-corrosion purposes, or as a substrate for a thin layer of chromium, found in taps, stopcocks and fittings, or gold for jewelers and electronics. High-performance alloys containing nickel are used for jet engines and marine equipment such as propellors and pumps.
Enables clean mobility
Nickel is a vital component in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, powering electric vehicles, e-bikes, and other green devices. Its high energy density enables longer range and better performance, supporting the shift to electrification.
Fully recyclable and circular
Umicore’s closed-loop recycling technologies recover nickel from spent batteries, electronic scrap, and industrial residues, helping to reduce reliance on mining.
Devil’s copper
“Old Nick” is a centuries-old name for the devil. Nickel’s original nickname kupfernickel (devil’s copper) was coined by frustrated German miners who were unable to extract the material, misidentifying it as copper. Swedish scientist Axel Cronstedt successfully isolated the metal in 1751 and kept the devilish nod, naming it Nickel.
