How Extracting and Producing Nickel Can Be Made More Sustainable
Relevance: Environment | Green Technology | Sustainable Development | Critical Minerals
Context
Nickel is vital for electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries, and clean energy infrastructure.
However, traditional nickel extraction methods are extremely carbon-intensive — Producing 1 tonne of nickel = >20 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
This undermines the net-zero goals of EVs by shifting pollution from transportation to mining.
The Innovation: Hydrogen Plasma Technique
Developed by: Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, Germany
Process:
- Uses hydrogen plasma (ionized hydrogen gas at high temperatures) in an electric arc furnace
- Replaces carbon as a reducing agent → produces water instead of CO₂
Benefits:
- 84% reduction in CO₂ emissions
- 18% more energy-efficient
- One-step, faster and cleaner extraction
- Thermodynamically favourable
- Produces high-purity ferronickel (for stainless steel)
Relevance for India
- Sukinda, Odisha has abundant laterite ores (low-grade nickel, 0.4–0.9%)
- New tech can unlock domestic low-grade ores, reducing import dependence
- Aids India’s Net-Zero by 2070 target
- Enables sustainable industrialisation and mineral security
Challenges
- High initial capital for infrastructure
- Requires renewable electricity supply
- Complex thermodynamic dynamics
- Needs consistent free oxygen species input
