The Suit Magazine

Stephen Barnett, President of the Nickel Institute, is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in the mining, refining and integration of nickel into thousands of products.  Nickel, a key ingredient in stainless steel has been instrumental in erecting some of the most impressive edifices in our civilization, like the Chrysler Building and the Twin Towers in Thailand.  Today, the Nickel Institute, a huge consortium, is responsible for the production of more than 90% of the world’s nickel.

The Nickel Institute is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of twenty seven companies.  It was established on January 1, 2004, through the merger of the Nickel Development Institute (NiDI) and the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association (NiPERA). The Nickel Institute’s mandate is to promote the use of nickel, and the re-use of nickel, in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. “Nickel plays a key role in the future of a sustainable society,” said Barnett, in the ‘Nickel Institute- Climate Action’ video, “It is a material of innovation. Nickel has a whole range of applications that will make a society more sustainable in the long run. Everything, from the alloys that go into nuclear power plants, to alloys that are used in wind turbines, is sustained by Nickel. It’s one of those metals which provide multiple uses in several technologies. Nickel will lower C02 emissions in the future. It also contributes hugely because of the long life it gives material.”

The institute also works with other international metals associations and stainless steel development associations in order to develop and promote the safe use of nickel globally. Through a worldwide network of highly qualified specialists, the organization actively offers free technical knowledge about nickel, its properties and uses to ensure optimum performance, safe handling and use. By initiating and funding independent scientific research programs, the foundation continually examines and explores the role of nickel in human health and the environment and to freely ensure that sound science is used as the basis for regulation of the nickel industry and its user industries.

Currently, twenty seven of the world’s top nickel producers are members of the Nickel Institute. These companies include Anglo American Brazil Ltda., Anglo Platinum, BHP Billiton, Bochemie a.s., Eramet, European Nickel PLC, Gladstone Pacific Nickel Limited, Glencore International AG, JFE Mineral Company Ltd., JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, LARCO, Minara Resources Limited, Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd, NIREF Pacific Metals Co., Ltd., P.T. International Nickel Indonesia Tbk., Rio Tinto PLC, Sherritt International Corporation, Sinosteel Coporation Ltd., Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Talvivaara Mining Company Plc., Umicore, Vale, Vale Japan Ltd., Western Areas, and Xstrata Nickel.  Through the institute, these companies collectively provide a common and responsible voice for the global industry of nickel extraction, purification and development.

The primary role of nickel in a sustainable future is in the use of stainless steel.  Over 69% of stainless steel products contain nickel. Applications of nickel extend to, jet engines, batteries and hybrid vehicles.  By adding nickel to metal the crystal structure of the metal is transformed into a more easily welded and tougher metal; nickel also reduces the rate of corrosion.  So it does not have to be replaced as frequently.  Nickel also allows stainless steel to be recycled for sustainable use.  Nickel is actually 100% recyclable.  Recycled stainless steel is therefore no different from raw, newly manufactured stainless steel. 

Nickel’s impact can be felt in even more fundamental ways.  Citing from the nickel Institute’s website, “The element nickel was originally created by supernova explosion, and is essential to the metabolism of all plants.  As a result, small traces of nickel can be found in food and drink products such as chocolate, nuts, dried beans, peas, grains, drinking water, milk and other beverages such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and wine. In fact, nickel acts as a necessary nutrient for proper development of connective tissue, nerve coverings, and skin pigment. Nickel also allows for the storage of digital data on CD’s, DVD, and Blu-Ray disks as well as serving as a key element in liquefied natural gas production, transport and storage. In total, nickel is used in 11% of building and construction projects, 24% of engineering projects, 16% of metal products, 16% of both public and private transportation, 15% of electronic products, and 17% of miscellaneous projects.”

Although nickel production does emit a small degree of greenhouse gases, these emissions account for less than 0.01% of total C02 emissions. As the 7th most abundant element on the planet, Nickel not only greatly increases the life expectancy of structures, products, and humans, but also allows other industries to cut down on C02 emissions.

Recently, the Nickel Institute has been involved in the successful REACH registration of nickel metal and nickel sulphate.  REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use that was established on June 1st, 2007.  The Nickel Institute was able to finish this project eight months ahead of deadline.  “The early registration of nickel metal and nickel sulphate under REACH represents a major achievement for the Nickel Consortia of producers, importers and downstream users, the lead registrants and the entire nickel industry. It was made possible by the dedicated teamwork of all participants and by the technical and strategic support received during the registration process,” Barnett said.

For more information about the Nickel Institute, you can visit the Nickel Institute’s official YouTube channel

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