Substitutes

Substitutes and Alternatives for Cobalt

The availability of viable substitutes is a key factor in assessing Cobalt's criticality. Across its 4 primary applications, substitution options range from commercially viable alternatives with performance trade-offs to applications where Cobalt currently has no effective substitute.

Substitution Analysis by Application

The following table details available substitutes for Cobalt across its primary applications, including the trade-offs involved:

Performance Trade-offs

In most applications, substituting Cobalt involves measurable performance penalties. LFP eliminates cobalt entirely but has 20-30% lower energy density; now dominant in China but NMC preferred for premium EVs needing maximum range. In high-performance applications such as lithium-ion battery cathodes, these trade-offs can be particularly significant.

Research and Development

Active research programs are underway to develop improved substitutes and to reduce the amount of Cobalt required per unit of product (thrifting). However, timelines for commercializing new alternatives typically span years to decades. The limited substitutability of Cobalt is a primary driver of its high criticality rating, prompting government-funded substitution research programs.