Nickel Prices | Current and Forecast
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Monitor monthly Nickel price assessments, as well as 10-year price history and forecasts.
The chart below is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices. Subscribe and access now current prices of 225 commodities, including Nickel.
Data Legend. The chart above shows Nickel price assessments in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt), as follows:
- Nickel (Cathode), GLO (Global): Nickel (cathode), spot price, i-w, Global
- Nickel (Cathode), CN (China): Nickel (cathode), spot price, i-w, China
Data Use. Nickel prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 225 commodities worldwide. Intratec's methodology employs a structured big data strategy that utilizes advanced technologies to extract publicly available data from primary sources such as governmental trade records, statistics bureaus, and international agencies. This data is then processed through mathematical models to generate reliable assessments, published at the very beginning of each month. To better understand the data provided check Intratec Primary Commodity Prices Methodology .
Data Delivery Methods. Nickel price assessments are available via different delivery methods: (i) online charts; (ii) directly into Excel (using Intratec Add-in); (iii) in Power BI dashboards or (iv) a web API (to facilitate integration with existing workflows).
Intratec Primary Commodity Prices
Track global current prices of 225 commodities including Nickel
Current Monthly Prices
Price History & Forecasts
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Plans Starting at $299 USD /year
Nickel Price Outlook. The price of Nickel (China) decreased during March 2020 to 14,500 USD per metric ton, which represents a decline of 6% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, the prices of Nickel (China) decreased by 5%. Meanwhile, the average price of Nickel (Global) amounted to 11,800 USD per metric ton, from 13,000 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the price of Nickel (Global) is 7% lower than the price one month before.
About Nickel. Nickel has a history dating back to its first isolation in 1751, followed by industrial production in 1838. In 1870, the demand for Nickel surged after the discovery of its use in alloy steels. When alloyed with other elements, Nickel enhances material properties such as strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Currently, Nickel is indispensable to the iron and steel industry, playing a crucial role in the production of specialty and engineering materials. Approximately 60% of Nickel produced globally is utilized in stainless steel manufacture.
The majority of global Nickel production is sourced from sulfide ores due to political, geographical, technical, and economic factors, despite 80% of known nickel resources being in oxide ore bodies. Sulfide ores, found in politically stable regions, are preferred for concentration and proximity to major markets. While surface-minable, oxide ores require more energy for processing, and their economic feasibility is highly sensitive to fuel and power costs.
Nickel Handling. Since Nickel is produced in great quantity, it is usually shipped in railroad tank cars or by marine transportation. It should be stored in ventilated areas, away from heat and sources of ignition. Fine dust generation should also be prevented since it can form a flammable or explosive mixture with air. Nickel ore is very dangerous and in some countries, such as Indonesia, is prohibited from being shipped. It is prone to a phenomenon called liquefaction, in which the water separates from the ore due to moisture and ever-changing temperatures in the sea. The fluid dynamics involved in this process cause the whole cargo to slide to one side, affecting the ship’s stability and balance, and making it highly vulnerable to capsizing.
Nickel Production. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Nickel are listed below.
- Nickel oxide + metallurgical coke (electric furnace reduction/electrolysis),
- Lateritic ore (pressure leaching/solvent extraction/electrolysis),
- Nickel oxide + metallurgical coke (electric furnace reduction/electrolysis),
- Nickel matte/nickel-copper matte + hydrogen (pressure leaching/reduction)
Nickel Uses. Nickel is predominantly valued for its chemical composition rather than its mechanical or physical properties. It is classified into Class I and Class II based on chemical purity. Class I encompasses high-purity Nickel grades (electrolytic cathode, carbonyl refined granules and powder, and hydrogen-reduced nickel in powder or briquette form). On the pther hand, Class II includes various grades like ferro-nickel and nickel oxide, usually at a lower purity (e.g., ferronickel, nickel oxide, and metallized nickel oxide).
