In an era marked by globalization and interconnected economies, forging strong partnerships across borders is key to fostering growth and development. Nickel Industries Limited stands as a shining example of successful collaboration between Australia and the ASEAN region, embodying the spirit of mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Nickel Industries Limited is an Australian public company that owns a portfolio of mining and low-cost downstream nickel processing assets in Indonesia, which is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Company has a long history in Indonesia, with controlling interests in the world-class Hengjaya Mine, as well as four rotary kiln electric furnace (RKEF) projects that produce nickel matte for the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and nickel pig iron (NPI) for the stainless-steel industry.
Having established itself as a globally significant producer of NPI, the Company is now rapidly transitioning its production to focus on the EV battery supply chain – recently, the Company has converted some of its existing production from NPI to nickel matte, and also acquired a 10% interest in the Huayou Nickel Cobalt (HNC) HPAL project, adding mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) to its product portfolio.
Nickel Industries is now embarking on its next transformative step, announcing a positive final investment decision to invest in Excelsior Nickel Cobalt (ENC), a next-generation HPAL project capable of producing MHP, nickel sulfate, and nickel cathode. ENC will produce approximately 72,000 tonnes of nickel metal per annum, diversifying the Company’s production and reducing the Company’s carbon emissions profile – reflecting the strong commitment to sustainable operations. Nickel Industries’ operations demonstrate how Australia and ASEAN can cooperate to achieve mutual benefits in the areas of trade, investment, and sustainable development.
In the space of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, which is held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations in Melbourne this week, Sustainability Manager Muchtazar commented:
“It’s a privilege and honor to represent Australia’s largest nickel producer at this high-level forum, which showcased the acknowledgment of Nickel Industries’ positive impacts on the growth of the Australia-ASEAN region in the past years.”
"In terms of Climate and Clean Energy Transition, we are proudly taking a leadership role in reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the sustainability of the environments and communities in which we operate. As a Company, we have committed to a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050, which was first announced at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai last year," Muchtazar said.
Nickel Industries stands as a testament to the strength of Australia-ASEAN cooperation, embodying the principles of partnership, innovation, and sustainable development.
Through its strategic vision and commitment to shared values, the Company paves the way for a brighter future of collaboration and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Nickel Industries’ operation reflects the common vision and interests of Australia and ASEAN, and its commitment to regional stability, prosperity, and sustainability. The Company’s achievements also inspire more opportunities for collaboration and innovation between Australia and ASEAN in the future.
Image source: Nickel Industries Limited
