The Global Nickel Recycling Market was valued at USD 12.7 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 22.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust expansion is driven by intensifying demand from the electric vehicle battery sector, the global push for a circular economy, and stringent environmental regulations promoting sustainable resource management.

As industries worldwide prioritize decarbonization and supply chain security, the strategic importance of nickel recycling has surged. Recycled nickel offers a lower-carbon, cost-effective alternative to primary production, making the companies that master its recovery pivotal to the green transition. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Nickel Recycling Industry—a diverse mix of global metal traders, specialized recyclers, and innovation leaders shaping a more sustainable future for this critical battery metal.

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🔟 1. Glencore Recycling

Headquarters: Baar, Switzerland
Key Offering: Recycled Nickel Cathodes, Nickel-Containing Scrap, and By-Product Streams

Glencore Recycling leverages the immense global network of its parent company, Glencore, to be a dominant force in nickel recycling. The company processes a vast array of end-of-life products, including lithium-ion batteries and stainless steel scrap, feeding high-purity nickel back into the supply chain through its integrated smelting and refining operations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Major investment in battery recycling partnerships and technologies

• Commitment to achieving net-zero total emissions by 2050

• Integrated circular model that recovers nickel alongside cobalt and copper

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Nickel Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: High-Purity Recycled Nickel Salts, Cathode Precursors from Battery Recycling

Umicore is a global leader in sustainable technologies and a pioneer in closed-loop recycling for rechargeable battery materials. Its unique ‘campus’ approach co-locates battery materials production with a state-of-the-art recycling facility, allowing it to recover nickel, cobalt, and lithium from end-of-life batteries and production scrap for direct reuse in new cathode active materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• World’s first industrial-scale battery recycling plant with a closed-loop for cathode materials

• R&D focused on hydrometallurgical processes for higher purity and yield

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8️⃣ 3. Aurubis AG

Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
Key Offering: Recycled Nickel from Electronic Scrap and Metal Residues

Aurubis, Europe’s largest copper producer, is a significant supplier of recycled nickel extracted as a by-product from processing complex recycling materials. The company’s sophisticated metallurgical operations efficiently recover nickel from electronic scrap, copper cables, and other multi-metal wastes, contributing significantly to the circular economy.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• “Metals for Progress” sustainability strategy with a focus on recycling efficiency

• Investment in processing technologies to handle increasingly complex scrap streams

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7️⃣ 4. Sims Metal

Headquarters: New York, USA, and Melbourne, Australia
Key Offering: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap, Including Nickel-Containing Stainless Steel

Sims Metal, a global leader in metal and electronics recycling, processes millions of tons of material annually. It is a key supplier of nickel-bearing stainless steel scrap to mills worldwide. The company’s extensive collection and processing infrastructure make it a vital link in the nickel recycling value chain.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Ambitious climate goals, including a target to reduce operational emissions by 50% by 2030

• Development of advanced sorting technologies to improve metal recovery rates

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Nickel Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Stena Recycling

Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
Key Offering: Comprehensive Recycling Services for Industrial Waste, Including Nickel Alloys

Part of the Stena Metall Group, Stena Recycling is a Nordic leader in recycling services for businesses and industries. The company specializes in handling complex waste streams, recovering valuable metals like nickel from industrial by-products, end-of-life vehicles, and electronic waste through advanced sorting and treatment processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering battery recycling initiatives in Scandinavia

• Active participation in developing circular business models with industrial partners

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5️⃣ 6. Hanwa Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Global Trading of Non-Ferrous Metals, Including Recycled Nickel

Hanwa is a major Japanese trading company with a strong focus on non-ferrous metals. It plays a crucial role in the global nickel market by sourcing and supplying both primary and secondary nickel. The company’s extensive logistics and financing capabilities facilitate the efficient movement of nickel scrap and recycled products across international markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Strategic investments in recycling ventures to secure sustainable metal supplies

• Focus on building resilient and environmentally responsible supply chains

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4️⃣ 7. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
Key Offering: Recycled Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals, Including Nickel-Alloy Scrap

Schnitzer is one of North America’s largest recyclers of scrap metal. Its advanced processing facilities separate and prepare nickel-containing stainless steel and superalloy scrap for remelting. The company’s large-scale operations are essential for supplying the metallurgical industry with high-quality recycled nickel units.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Committed to 100% renewable electricity for its operations

• Integrated environmental management systems across all recycling facilities

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3️⃣ 8. CMC Recycling

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing and Brokerage

Commercial Metals Company (CMC) is a leading player in the US recycling market, operating numerous scrap yards and steel mills. The company’s recycling division processes significant volumes of metal scrap, recovering nickel from stainless steel and other alloys, which is then used in its own steel production or sold on the market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Utilizes electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, which relies heavily on recycled content

• Focus on reducing the carbon footprint of steel production through increased recycling

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2️⃣ 9. RS Recycling GmbH

Headquarters: Kerpen, Germany
Key Offering: Specialized Recycling of Nickel Alloys and Superalloys

RS Recycling GmbH is a German specialist in the recycling of high-value metals, particularly nickel-based superalloys used in aerospace, energy, and chemical processing industries. The company’s expertise lies in sorting, analyzing, and processing these complex materials to meet the stringent quality specifications of its clients.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Expertise in closing the loop for high-performance alloys

• Partnerships with industries requiring certified recycled metal content

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1️⃣ 10. Yano Metals Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity Recycled Nickel and Cobalt Products

Yano Metals is a specialized Japanese company focused on the recycling and refining of non-ferrous metals, with a strong emphasis on nickel and cobalt. The company supplies high-purity recycled nickel products to the battery and specialty alloy sectors, playing a key role in Japan’s strategic effort to secure domestic sources of critical minerals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of advanced refining processes for battery-grade nickel sulphate from recycled sources

• Active role in building a domestic circular economy for critical raw materials in Japan

Get Full Report Here: Global Nickel Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Nickel Recycling Is Integrated and Innovative

The nickel recycling market is at a pivotal juncture. While the stainless steel industry remains the largest consumer of recycled nickel, the electric vehicle revolution is creating an unprecedented demand pull for high-purity, battery-grade material. The industry is responding with massive investments in new technologies and integrated business models.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid scaling of dedicated lithium-ion battery recycling capacity globally

• Advancements in hydrometallurgical and direct recycling technologies for higher efficiency

• Increasing regulatory mandates for recycled content in batteries and consumer goods

• Strategic partnerships between recyclers, automakers, and battery manufacturers to create closed-loop systems

Get Full Report Here: Global Nickel Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only recovering a critical resource—they are fundamentally building the circular infrastructure required for a sustainable, electrified future.