Top 10 Companies in the High Purity Cobalt Materials Market (2026): Leaders Powering the Green Energy Transition

In Business Insights
February 05, 2026


The Global High Purity Cobalt Materials Market was valued at USD 4.8 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.9 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.7% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This robust growth is being driven by the global transition to clean energy, explosive demand for electric vehicle batteries, and the continued expansion of the aerospace and defense sectors.

As industries worldwide pivot towards sustainability and advanced manufacturing, the importance of high-performance materials has never been greater. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the High Purity Cobalt Materials Industry—a dynamic mix of mining giants, specialized refiners, and recycling pioneers who are securing the supply chain for critical technologies.


🔟 1. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Battery-grade Cobalt Sulfate, Cobalt Metal, Catalysts

Umicore is a global leader in sustainable materials technology and a cornerstone of the high purity cobalt supply chain. The company specializes in transforming cobalt into critical components for lithium-ion batteries, particularly high-nickel NMC cathodes. Their closed-loop recycling business model sets a benchmark for sustainability in the industry, recovering cobalt from end-of-life batteries and production scrap.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering closed-loop recycling for battery materials

  • Commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2035

  • Development of ultra-high purity cobalt products for next-generation batteries

Download FREE Sample Report: High Purity Cobalt Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd.

Headquarters: Jinchang, Gansu, China
Key Offering: Cobalt Metal, Cobalt Salts, Cobalt Powder

Jinchuan Group is one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt and nickel, with significant integrated mining and refining operations. The company’s scale allows it to serve diverse markets, from superalloys for aerospace to precursors for EV batteries. Its vertical integration provides a stable supply chain in a volatile market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in cleaner hydrometallurgical refining processes

  • Expansion of cobalt sulfate production capacity for the battery sector

  • Initiatives to improve traceability and ESG performance


8️⃣ 3. Glencore plc

Headquarters: Baar, Switzerland
Key Offering: Cobalt Metal, Cobalt Hydroxide

Glencore is a major diversified natural resources company and a leading producer of cobalt, primarily from its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Canada. The company supplies cobalt to refiners and chemical companies worldwide and has established long-term supply agreements with major automobile manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of the Responsible Sourcing Initiative for cobalt

  • Investment in artisanal mining formalization programs in the DRC

  • Commitment to transparency in supply chain reporting


7️⃣ 4. China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. (CMOC)

Headquarters: Luoyang, Henan, China
Key Offering: Cobalt Hydroxide, Cobalt Metal

CMOC has rapidly become one of the globe’s top cobalt producers following its acquisition of the Tenke Fungurume mine in the DRC. The company focuses on the upstream segment, producing cobalt intermediate products that are essential for the battery and chemical industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on increasing production efficiency to reduce environmental footprint

  • Community development programs in mining regions

  • Adoption of international standards for mining operations

Download FREE Sample Report: High Purity Cobalt Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High Purity Cobalt Metal, NMC Cathode Materials

Sumitomo Metal Mining is a key Japanese player with expertise in both producing high purity cobalt metal and manufacturing advanced cathode materials. The company’s technical prowess ensures its products meet the stringent quality requirements of leading battery and electronics manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of cobalt-saving cathode technologies

  • Investment in battery recycling R&D

  • Commitment to a sustainable supply chain for automotive customers


5️⃣ 6. Sherritt International Corporation

Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
Key Offering: Cobalt Metal, Cobalt Sulfate

Sherritt is a world leader in the hydrometallurgical processing of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores. Its operations in Canada and Cuba produce high purity cobalt briquettes and powders, which are critical for aerospace, industrial, and emerging battery applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary hydrometallurgical technology with lower environmental impact

  • Focus on producing cobalt with a lower carbon footprint than industry averages

  • Partnerships to explore new sources of battery-grade cobalt


4️⃣ 7. ERG (Eurasian Resources Group)

Headquarters: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Key Offering: Cobalt Metal, Cobalt-containing intermediates

ERG is a leading diversified natural resources group with cobalt production from its Metalkol Roan Tailings Reclamation (RTR) project in the DRC. This project reprocesses historic tailings, making it a unique source of cobalt with a lower environmental impact than traditional mining.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Metalkol RTR project transforms historic waste into valuable materials

  • Member of the Global Battery Alliance, promoting a sustainable battery value chain

  • Implementation of comprehensive ESG standards across operations


3️⃣ 8. Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Cobalt Sulfate, Cobalt Tetroxide, Cobalt Metal

Huayou Cobalt is a major Chinese company focused on the deep processing of cobalt and new energy lithium battery materials. It has built an integrated industrial chain from cobalt resources to battery materials, making it a pivotal supplier to the global EV industry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Large-scale investment in battery recycling operations

  • Initiatives to improve transparency and responsible sourcing from the DRC

  • Development of advanced purification technologies for battery-grade cobalt


2️⃣ 9. GEM Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: Recycled Cobalt, NCM Precursor Materials

GEM is a global leader in the circular economy, specializing in the recovery of cobalt, nickel, and other valuable metals from used batteries and electronic waste. The company is a key enabler of a circular supply chain for critical battery materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • World’s leading producer of recycled cobalt from battery materials

  • Pioneering urban mining models to reduce reliance on primary resources

  • Partnerships with global automakers and battery producers for closed-loop recycling


1️⃣ 10. Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Key Offering: Cobalt By-product (from copper mining)

Freeport-McMoRan, primarily known as a leading copper producer, is also a significant source of cobalt as a by-product from its Tenke Fungurume mine (through its partnership) and potential future production. The company’s scale and technical expertise position it as an important player in the cobalt market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship

  • Investment in technologies to improve recovery rates of by-product cobalt

  • Focus on supplying critical materials for the North American battery supply chain

Get Full Report Here: High Purity Cobalt Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of High Purity Cobalt is Sustainable and Diversified

The high purity cobalt materials market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. While traditional applications like superalloys remain vital, the industry is being reshaped by the demands of the clean energy transition, driving massive investments in recycling technologies, supply chain diversification, and advanced purification processes.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated growth of battery recycling infrastructure to create a circular economy for cobalt

  • Geographic diversification of refining capacity to reduce reliance on specific regions

  • Technological innovation to produce higher purity grades (5N+) for cutting-edge applications

  • Increased focus on ESG compliance and transparent, ethical sourcing from mine to market

Get Full Report Here: High Purity Cobalt Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical raw material—they’re building the foundation for a sustainable technological future.