Nickel; nickel mattes

HS code 750110 covers the classification of nickel and nickel mattes, which are important commodities in the global metals and mining industry. Nickel is a versatile and valuable metal with a wide range of industrial applications, from stainless steel production to the manufacturing of batteries and other high-tech components. As a key input for many critical industries, the trade and production of nickel and nickel mattes play a significant role in the broader global economy.

Nickel is primarily produced through the mining and processing of nickel-containing ores. The main production techniques involve mineral extraction, concentration, smelting, and refining to extract pure nickel metal from the raw materials. Nickel mattes, which are intermediate products in the nickel production process, are created through the smelting of nickel ores to produce a concentrated nickel-sulfur compound.

The production of nickel and nickel mattes requires several key inputs, including nickel-bearing ores, such as laterite and sulfide ores, as well as energy sources, such as coal or natural gas, to power the smelting and refining processes. Specialized mining and processing equipment, such as crushers, furnaces, and electrolytic cells, are also essential for the efficient extraction and purification of nickel.

The primary outputs of HS code 750110 are refined nickel metal and nickel mattes. These products are then consumed by a variety of downstream industries, including 721310 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, of iron or non-alloy steel, 722511 Flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, not further worked than hot-rolled, not in coils, and 851770 Parts of telephone sets, telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, among others, which use nickel as a key input for the production of stainless steel, alloys, and other high-performance materials.