As part of the Company’s Innovation
and R&D Strategy, new products are being developed to seize market
opportunities and mitigate risks associated with the energy transition.
Battery Technology Centre
In 2024, Nornickel inaugurated its Battery
Technology Centre in Saint Petersburg, marking a new phase
in the Company’s efforts to advance technological capabilities
in the promising field of nickel‑containing cathode active materials –
a key component in modern batteries.
The new centre will focus
on the development and research of battery materials using state‑of‑the‑art
process equipment unique in Russia, enabling the full cycle of synthesis and
testing under specialised conditions.
Nornickel’s R&D centre has already produced
the first samples of cathode materials for NCM 811+ chemistry, with further
research planned to develop new products. The outcomes of the Battery
Technology Centre’s efforts are expected to lay the groundwork
for future production projects in the battery materials sector.
China market outlook
In 2024,employeesof the Palladium Centre
participated in the China Precious Metals Industry Development Forum held
in Xi’an, China.
According to CPMIC experts, prospective
demand for PGMs in the Chinese market is projected to reach
5.6–6.5 Moz by 2035.
Palladium Centre
Nornickel has also established its dedicated
Palladium Centre (the “Centre”), which develops, tests, and brings to market new
palladium‑based materials that support the accelerated transition to green
technologies and help reduce carbon footprints.
In most cases, palladium demonstrates superior
catalytic activity, hydrogen permeability, oxidation resistance, electrical conductivity,
and magnetic susceptibility – all of which directly impact the efficiency
of various technological processes. These characteristics underpin palladium’s strong
potential to enhance the performance of alternative energy and high‑tech
industries.
The Centre is actively building
a partner network that involves joint research and development with Russian and
international institutes and laboratories, as well as collaboration with
commercial customers to accelerate the market launch of new products.
The Centre’s portfolio currently comprises over
25 developments across three distinct application areas – greentech, high‑tech materials,
and traditional uses. In the long term, over 100 new palladium‑containing
materials are planned to be brought to market. Their application
is expected to drive at least 40–50 tonnes of new palladium demand
by 2030.
Greentech focus area
In green technologies, the Centre has
developed a suite of new materials for alternative energy applications.
Hydrogen energy
New palladium‑based materials improve
the efficiency of the entire value chain: electrolyser
catalysts (boosting energy efficiency by 5%–10%), membranes for ultra‑pure
hydrogen production (reducing hydrogen cost by a factor
of three), and fuel cell catalysts (increasing catalytic activity
by 5%–10%and halving degradation rates). All
of these materials underwent intensive industrial trials with Chinese
consumers in 2024, and the first commercial batches
are expected in 2025
Solar power
Laboratory testing of new
palladium‑containing components designed for silicon and perovskite
solar panels (offering a projected efficiency increase
of 1–2 %) is expected
to be completed in early 2025
Aviation fuel
The development of new
catalysts designed to enhance the efficiency of sustainable
aviation fuel synthesis from plant‑based feedstocks is planned
for 2025
High‑tech materials focus area
In high‑tech materials, the Centre focuses
on technologies essential for advancing the artificial intelligence and
electric mobility industries. Research and development efforts are currently underway
to extend the service life of OLED displays by a factor of 2–3
through the integration of palladium‑containing components which increase
the luminescence lifetime of blue LEDs
Traditional uses focus area
In this area, in 2024, the Centre
focused on technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing
the carbon footprint through the application of palladium.
Industrial tests were conducted, and
the first commercial batch of new palladium‑containing anodes for water
disinfection by electrolysis was produced – a more environmentally
friendly technology that eliminates the need to produce, transport and store
chlorine. These new anodes demonstrate a 10%–20%reduction in energy consumption compared
to existing alternatives, have a longer service life, and are more
affordable.
Industrial trials of glass fibre bushings
with palladium‑based current leads designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce
product costs were successfully completed.
Also in 2025, the Centre intends
to complete fundamental research into integrating new palladium catalysts into
lithium‑sulphur batteries to extend their lifespan and increase power output.
Lithium‑sulphur batteries are a promising technology that in the future
may reduce battery weight by 30%–40% compared to lithium‑ion alternatives. This
weight reduction would make the new batteries suitable for use in aviation,
where low weight, while maintaining other technical characteristics, is a critical
factor for energy storage systems. Preliminary estimates suggest that replacing
lithium‑ion batteries with lithium‑sulphur batteries incorporating palladium catalysts could
triple the driving range of electric vehicles.
Development of a lithium deposit
Nornickel, together with a partner, plans
to develop Russia’s most promising lithium deposit, located in the Murmansk
Region. The project provides for the production of 45 kt
of lithium carbonate and hydroxide per year.
