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| Vale Base Metals NCM cathodes and LFP batteries |
NCM and LFP Batteries Coexist in the Market
Vale Base Metals COO Alfredo Santana stated that both NCM cathodes and LFP batteries have market space. This statement comes amid concerns about nickel losing battery market share.
Meanwhile, global nickel supplies are abundant, particularly from Indonesia. However, battery demand growth has not matched the supply increase, maintaining price pressure.
Vale continues to supply 50–60% of high-purity nickel to the U.S. aerospace and defense sectors. The company also focuses on operational efficiency to maintain competitive costs.
Copper Production Growth and Low-Carbon Strategy
Vale plans to double copper production to 700,000 tonnes annually by 2035. Brazil remains the primary focus, supplying most of the company’s output.
As a result, Vale emphasizes low-carbon nickel and copper, leveraging Brazil’s clean energy matrix. The firm actively seeks circularity initiatives to reduce the industry footprint.
Regulatory and operational improvements in Brazil are crucial. Santana highlighted soil mapping expansion, faster licensing, and open investment policies as key to supporting growth.
ScrapInsight Commentary
Nickel and copper markets show resilience amid battery shifts. Vale’s low-carbon focus and circularity efforts strengthen long-term competitiveness. Regulatory reforms in Brazil could accelerate supply growth.
