Nickel Market Report 2026

The nickel market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $24.83 billion in 2025 to $28.01 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of stainless steel production, growth in industrial alloy demand, availability of sulfide and laterite ore reserves, development of flotation processing methods, rising investments in nickel mining operations.

The nickel market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $47.05 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand from electric vehicle batteries, rising focus on low-carbon nickel supply chains, expansion of nickel sulfate production capacity, growing adoption of high-efficiency refining technologies, increasing strategic investments in nickel resources. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing focus on battery-grade nickel production, rising adoption of advanced ore processing techniques, growing investment in laterite nickel projects, expansion of sustainable nickel extraction practices, enhanced use of automation in nickel mining.

The rising demand for nickel in automotive batteries is expected to drive growth in the nickel market during the forecast period. Modern electric vehicle batteries often use nickel-rich cathodes, which require substantial amounts of nickel, increasing overall market demand. For instance, in February 2024, data from Adamas Intelligence, a Canada-based EV analytics firm, showed that global nickel deployed in new electric vehicle batteries reached approximately 286,529 tonnes in 2023, a 37% increase from 2022, with the United States seeing a 49% rise over the same period, reflecting widespread adoption of nickel-rich battery chemistries. Therefore, growing nickel use in automobile batteries is fueling market expansion.

Companies operating in the nickel market are strategically introducing new nickel-based products to enhance their market positions. Innovations in nickel applications across various industries are a focal point for these companies. For instance, TPC Wire & Cable, a US-based company specializing in wire, cable, and accessories, introduced new additions to the Thermo-Trex Line of Wire & Cable in August 2023. Notable among them is the Thermo-Trex 2000 Shielded Multi-Conductor, designed for power and control in high-temperature environments, featuring flexible properties, finely stranded nickel-plated copper conductors, a nickel-plated copper braid shielding layer, and an outer jacket woven from special glass materials with abrasion-resistant coatings. Another introduction is the Thermo-Trex 2800 RTD Cable, tailored for high-temperature Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) control and instrumentation applications, capable of withstanding a maximum conductor temperature of 530°C / 1000°F.

In May 2023, PT Merdeka Battery Materials, based in Indonesia and a provider of nickel units for miner Merdeka Copper Gold, completed the acquisition of PT Huaneng Metal Industry for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is anticipated to enable PT Merdeka Battery Materials to capture additional profit margins through the production and sale of high-grade nickel matte. Furthermore, it facilitates the transition of its extensive Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) asset base to class 1 nickel production. PT Huaneng Metal Industry, the acquired entity, is a facility specializing in nickel processing.

Major companies operating in the nickel market are Glencore, Vale, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd, Eramet, Norilsk Nickel Inc., BHP, Anglo American, Pacific Metal Company, Sherritt International Corporation, INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL, Tsingshan Holdings Group, Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd, Vedanta Resources Limited, Alliance Nickel Limited, Western Areas Limited, Jervois Mining, Deutsche Nickel GmbH, Solway Investment Group Limited, Société Le Nickel (SLN), Sumic Nickel Netherlands B.V, North American Nickel, Talon Metals, PolyMet Mining Corp, First Quantum Minerals Ltd, Royal Nickel Corporation, Turnagain Nickel, Lundin Mining Corporation, Wallbridge Mining Co. Ltd, Atlantic Nickel UK, Brazilian Nickel PLC, Mirabela Nickel Ltd, Ma'aden, Siyanda Resources, African Rainbow Minerals, Africo Resources.

Western Europe was the largest region in the nickel market in 2025. The regions covered in the nickel market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the nickel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The nickel market includes revenues earned by entities by giving other metals the hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance they require. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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