Product portfolio diversification
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.
In 2024, employees of 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.
