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Sustainable nickel enabled by hydrogen-based reduction

Author

Listed:
  • U. Manzoor

    (Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials)

  • L. Mujica Roncery

    (Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia)

  • D. Raabe

    (Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials)

  • I. R. Souza Filho

    (Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials
    Université de Lorraine)

Abstract

Nickel is a critical element in the shift to sustainable energy systems, with the demand for nickel projected to exceed 6 million tons annually by 20401–4, largely driven by the electrification of the transport sector. Primary nickel production uses acids and carbon-based reductants, emitting about 20 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of nickel produced5–7. Here we present a method using fossil-free hydrogen-plasma-based reduction to extract nickel from low-grade ore variants known as laterites. We bypass the traditional multistep process and combine calcination, smelting, reduction and refining into a single metallurgical step conducted in one furnace. This approach produces high-grade ferronickel alloys at fast reduction kinetics. Thermodynamic control of the atmosphere of the furnace enables selective nickel reduction, yielding an alloy with minimal impurities (

Suggested Citation

  • U. Manzoor & L. Mujica Roncery & D. Raabe & I. R. Souza Filho, 2025. "Sustainable nickel enabled by hydrogen-based reduction," Nature, Nature, vol. 641(8062), pages 365-373, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:641:y:2025:i:8062:d:10.1038_s41586-025-08901-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08901-7
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