The Fine Points of Choosing the Right Nickel for Efficient Production

Vilmeks, the sole authorized distributor in Turkey for the Nikkelverk brand within Glencore, one of the world's largest natural resource companies, has begun organizing sector meetings to clarify common misconceptions about nickel metal. Approximately 150 representatives from companies engaged in nickel production or nickel plating attended the first event organized by Vilmeks, which supplies more than half of Turkish industry's nickel requirements, in cooperation with Nikkelverk, one of the world's highest-purity nickel producers. Senior executives, engineers and procurement managers from leading Turkish automotive, white goods, electrical-electronics, furniture, fixtures and packaging sector manufacturers and suppliers, as well as nickel traders, gathered at the event to obtain current and important information about nickel.

Vilmeks supplies more than half of Turkish industry's nickel requirements

Mine Ürer, Manager of Vilmeks Metal Division, delivered the opening remarks of the seminar, which focused on technical information about "Correct practices in nickel anode selection and operation." Noting that Vilmeks, whose core operations include steel products, nickel metal and nickel salts as well as ferroalloys, provides raw materials to manufacturers worldwide across a broad spectrum, Ürer stated that they stand out as one of Turkey's largest trading companies. Explaining that Vilmeks supplies more than half of Turkish industry's nickel requirements, Ürer emphasized that they are the sole authorized distributor in Turkey for Nikkelverk, a subsidiary of global natural resources giant Glencore and one of the world's highest-purity nickel producers. Pointing out that nickel, used in the production of stainless steel and other steel and non-ferrous alloys, is the most frequently preferred metal in electroplating due to its high corrosion resistance, hardness and strength, Ürer continued: "Nickel plating, which has protective properties for other metals, also adds decorative qualities to the plated material through its polished surface. Nickel, which can be easily processed in cold and hot states, maintains its strength at high temperatures and its continuity and toughness below zero temperatures. Due to its chemical and physical properties, nickel has an extremely wide range of applications; it is used in many different sectors including the electrical-electronics, automotive, white goods, furniture, chemical, energy, construction, food, transportation and telecommunications industries, as well as in areas where metallic goods such as kitchenware, bathroom fixtures, construction hand tools and medical devices are produced."

Critical selection for production quality and operational efficiency

Emphasizing that nickel anode selection is one of the most important parameters in nickel plating due to the qualities it brings to materials and the difficulty of substitution, Ürer stated that they aimed to draw attention to this critical issue affecting production quality and operational efficiency. Defining nickel plating as the dissolution of nickel anode metal in an appropriate nickel solution using current and its deposition in metallic form on the base material to be plated, Ürer stressed that the purity of the nickel anode and its method of use are very important for plating. Stating that demand for nickel, whose consumption areas continue to expand, and consequently production, increase significantly year-on-year, Ürer added that nickel will be among the essential metals for future societies.

High-quality and cost-effective nickel plating requires proper anode selection

At the seminar, which attracted keen interest from representatives of various sectors, Nikkelverk Advisor and Trainer John Smillie delivered a presentation on "Correct practices in nickel anode selection and operation." Emphasizing that nickel plating is a sensitive application affected by many different variables such as bath chemicals, electrolyte conditions, physical and electrical conditions and costs, John Smillie pointed out that the first step in high-quality and cost-effective nickel plating is proper anode selection. Noting that many factors such as material purity, shape, residue formation rate, volumetric density, performance, cost and processing method must be evaluated together, Smillie underscored the critical importance of selecting the right supplier for proper nickel anode selection. Stating that a balance must be maintained between nickel anode cost and overall facility operating costs, Smillie emphasized that low-cost anode products that cannot provide sufficient quality may reduce overall operating efficiency.

How to select the right nickel anode?

Explaining the key points of proper nickel anode selection, Smillie made the following comments: "Selecting high-purity material provides significant advantages in production since it affects the color and hardness of nickel plating. Additionally, the size and density of the material are critically important, as is purity. Large anode pieces cause reduced anode efficiency due to minimal electrical contact and higher energy consumption, while the unbalanced current density that develops leads to unbalanced plating of the part being worked on. Small, high-purity nickel pieces provide 100 percent anode efficiency with better electrical contact. Small pieces offer balanced and smooth plating advantages through balanced anode current density, thus contributing to reduced rejection rates. Small anode pieces prevent unwanted anode reactions and damage to titanium baskets, allowing better control of bath chemicals and lower polishing compound consumption. Small-piece anodes, which facilitate cleaning due to less residue formation, minimize nickel loss. Since small and especially round pieces allow more nickel anode in the basket, they create time and labor savings through less frequent basket filling. High-purity small pieces, which reduce energy consumption and labor costs, contribute to increased efficiency in facilities." Smillie also provided information on occupational health and safety practices in the nickel sector, emphasizing that this makes it possible to protect workers, the environment and the industry's reputation.

Glencore operates three of the world's largest integrated nickel production facilities

In his presentation at the event, Glencore Executive Owen Gibbs, who shared information about global natural resources giant Glencore and Nikkelverk, one of the world's most efficient nickel refineries, also discussed recent developments in the nickel market. Noting that Glencore operates 150 facilities in mining, metallurgy, oil production and agriculture worldwide, Owen Gibbs continued: "As a company with three of the world's largest integrated nickel production facilities, we produced 153,000 tons of nickel in 2016, including third-party production. As Glencore, with approximately 60,000 tons annually, we are one of the world's largest recycling and processing facilities for nickel and cobalt-bearing materials. We trade a diverse range of nickel products, from nickel ore to nickel with purity levels reaching 99.99 percent. We view sustainability as an integral part of our operations management approach and continuously work to improve our performance in human rights, health and safety, environmental protection and legal compliance."

High-purity nickel from Nikkelverk serves industry

Stating that Nikkelverk, a Glencore subsidiary with mining, smelting and foundry facilities in Canada, Western Australia and New Caledonia, is the largest nickel refinery in the west, Gibbs made the following comments: "Located in Norway, where the world's first modern nickel production took place, Nikkelverk, has been an established facility since 1910, processing numerous metals including nickel, copper, cobalt and precious metals and exporting 50 different product types. Acquired by Glencore in 2013, Nikkelverk is now regarded as one of the world's most efficient nickel refineries. One of the world's highest-purity nickel producers, Nikkelverk, based on 2013 data, has an annual nickel production capacity of 92,000 tons and supplies approximately 5 percent of global nickel production. With extensive experience in the electroplated nickel coating field, Nikkelverk distinguishes itself as a reliable producer serving different branches of industry through complete product groups, high-purity products and easy-to-transport packaging systems."

Global demand for nickel will continue to increase

Assessing recent developments in the global nickel market, Gibbs stated that global demand growth for nickel continued in 2016 due to activity in China's stainless steel production, strong developments in the battery sector, stability in the oil and gas sector and early signs of activity. Noting that the positive outlook in the nickel market continued at the beginning of 2017, Gibbs concluded: "With increasing resource efficiency, long-lasting product requirements, lightweight characteristics, energy efficiency in production and use, and recycling and reuse properties, nickel will be highly valuable for future societies. As a result, the nickel sector will continue to grow in a sustainable manner."