【SMM Nickel Market】Max Planck Scientists Develop One-Step Alloy Process Cutting Nickel’s Carbon Footprint

Published: Aug 20, 2025 17:38

Save

【SMM Nickel Market】Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (MPI-SusMat) have unveiled a single-step process that combines metal extraction, alloying, and thermomechanical processing in one eco-friendly operation. The breakthrough, published in Nature, uses hydrogen to reduce oxides into alloys, eliminating CO₂ emissions and drastically lowering energy use.

Conventional nickel production emits ~14 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of metal. By using hydrogen instead of carbon, the new “one-step metallurgy” yields water as the only byproduct and produces Invar (Fe-36Ni) alloys at ~700°C, well below melting points. The resulting alloys not only retain the low thermal expansion needed in aerospace and energy industries but also show superior mechanical strength from fine-grained structures.

The approach could extend to nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, and even metallurgical waste, opening pathways to high-entropy and soft magnetic alloys. If scaled, this hydrogen-based solid-state method could transform industrial metallurgy, slashing emissions and energy costs while enabling circular use of resources.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

9 hours ago

High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip

[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.

9 hours ago

High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches

[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.

9 hours ago

Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu

[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.

9 hours ago