The sources of recycled nickel sulfate mainly include the following aspects:
Spent Ternary Lithium Batteries With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the quantity of spent ternary lithium batteries is continuously increasing. Extracting nickel from spent ternary lithium batteries is an important recycling method. Through processes such as dismantling, crushing, and separation, the nickel element in the batteries can be extracted to produce nickel sulfate. However, the economic feasibility of this process is significantly influenced by the purchase price of the waste materials and the price of the extracted materials.
Electroplating Sludge A large amount of sludge containing a certain amount of nickel is produced during the electroplating process. This electroplating sludge can be processed using chemical methods, such as acid leaching, extraction, and precipitation, to separate the nickel and further process it into nickel sulfate.
Alloy Scrap Some nickel-containing alloys generate scrap materials such as trimmings or substandard products during processing and manufacturing. These scraps contain nickel of relatively high purity. By recycling and reprocessing, they can be transformed into nickel sulfate.
Other Nickel-Containing Waste Materials In addition to the main sources mentioned above, waste catalysts and yellow slag from industrial production also contain nickel. These waste materials can be processed through specific recycling techniques to extract the nickel and produce nickel sulfate.
Imported Hydrometallurgical Intermediates The nickel hydrometallurgical intermediates used in China are mainly imported, with major sources including Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia, and Indonesia. These intermediates can be further processed to produce nickel sulfate.