Researchers have demonstrated a new nickel refining process that could substantially lower its carbon emissions, currently equivalent to the emissions of a small country. While this method shows promise, scaling it to industrial application poses engineering challenges. Nickel's role in stainless steel and projected demand for lithium-ion batteries are increasing, raising concerns over its carbon-intensive primary production. Traditional methods produce approximately 20 tons of CO2 per ton of nickel ore, with higher emissions from laterite extraction methods, indicating the need for sustainable practices in nickel processing.
On average, refining one ton of nickel ore produces around 20 tons of carbon dioxide, and as extraction methods evolve, that carbon intensity could grow even higher.
This new refining process could dramatically cut the carbon footprint of nickel production, which is currently equivalent to the total emissions of a small country.
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