[SMM Nickel Market Flash] CREA: Stainless Steel Still Dominates Indonesia’s Nickel Demand

Published: Apr 21, 2026 13:56

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According to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), stainless steel remains the main end-use sector for Indonesia’s nickel despite ongoing “green nickel” marketing efforts. The report says 83% of Indonesia’s nickel output is expected to go into stainless steel in 2025, compared with only 17% for EV batteries. By 2030, stainless steel is still projected to account for 51% of nickel demand, above the 18% expected for the battery sector, underscoring stainless steel’s continued dominance in Indonesia’s nickel demand structure.

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