Nickel: Technical Data Sheet & Sourcing
Access international specifications for nickel (LME Class 1 Cathodes, Ferronickel FeNi, NPI for stainless steel, and Nickel Sulfate for Li-ion batteries) and facilitate matchmaking between producers, international traders, and industrial buyers.
-
Contract Types
Spot Orders, Annual Master Agreements & LME / SHFE Warrants
-
Purity & Forms
Class 1 (Ni 99.8% Min. LME Grade) | Class 2 (NPI 8-15%, FeNi 20-30%)
-
Main Hubs
Rotterdam, Singapore, Johor, Shanghai (SHFE), Morowali (Indonesia)
What is Nickel (Class 1 & Class 2)?
The Nickel is a strategic metal renowned for its high resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, as well as its key role in stainless steel manufacturing and electric battery chemistry (NMC/NCA).
The market is divided into two major categories: Class 1 Nickel (purity ≥ 99.8%, as cathodes, briquettes, or pellets, deliverable on the LME) and Class 2 Nickel (Ferronickel FeNi and Nickel Pig Iron NPI), primarily used in stainless steel production.
Technical Specifications Class 1 Nickel (LME Standard)
Major Producing Countries & Dynamics
The geographical landscape of nickel production has been transformed by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical (HPAL) developments:
-
Indonesia: Uncontested world leading producer thanks to its laterite reserves, processed locally into NPI, matte, and mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) for the battery sector.
-
Russia & Philippines: Nornickel remains a major supplier of Class 1 cathodes and briquettes, while the Philippines exports raw laterite ores.
-
New Caledonia, Canada & Australia: Historical producers of high-grade ferronickel and high-purity metals highly sought after for advanced alloys.
-
China: World's top stainless steel consumer and central hub for battery-grade nickel sulfate refining.
Market Quotes, Premiums & Logistics
Physical nickel trading combines regulated exchange markets with specialty premium negotiations:
LME/SHFE Pricing & NPI Discounts
Class 1 Nickel pricing benchmarked on LME / SHFE. NPI and FeNi trade at a discount based on their contained nickel units (Ni contained).
Packaging & Transport
Cathodes and briquettes delivered in sealed steel drums or strapped bundles via ocean containers (20ft FCL). NPI and FeNi are often transported in bulk.
Quality Control
Certificates of Analysis (CoA) required, with sampling and nickel assays performed by independent surveyors (SGS, Alex Stewart, Inspectorate).