Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Nickel

Nickel (Ni) is a high-criticality battery metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Nickel is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Nickel span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Stainless steel production — Nickel plays a vital role in stainless steel production, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Lithium-ion battery cathodes — Nickel plays a vital role in lithium-ion battery cathodes, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Superalloys for aerospace — Nickel plays a vital role in superalloys for aerospace, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Electroplating — Nickel plays a vital role in electroplating, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Chemical catalysts — Nickel plays a vital role in chemical catalysts, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Nickel is stainless steel production, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is lithium-ion battery cathodes, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Nickel in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Nickel is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.