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In recent years, China and Germany have been the leading exporters of nickel chloride, accounting for a substantial share of global supply, while the United States, South Korea, and Japan remain the top importers, driven by demand from electroplating, battery precursor, and catalyst manufacturing sectors. Nickel chloride prices have shown moderate volatility, correlating with fluctuations in upstream nickel metal costs and regional regulatory shifts affecting chemical imports. Export volumes from China increased steadily through 2023–2024, while German exports remained stable, and U.S. imports rose marginally amid tightening supply chain diversification efforts.
Chloride Nickel Market Intelligence Report (Recent Commodity Market Dynamics)
I. Price Dynamics
1. Domestic Prices
- As of July 21, 2026, the domestic price range for nickel chloride in China stood at RMB 34,000–38,000 per ton. Specific quotations are as follows:
- Jinan Aoxin Chemical Co., Ltd. (Jinchuan brand; Jinan City, Shandong Province): RMB 38,000/ton
- Shandong Hanyue Chemical Co., Ltd. (Jinchuan brand; Jinan City, Shandong Province): RMB 34,000/ton (99% purity)
- Hubei Qibajiu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Wuhan City, Hubei Province): RMB 34,500/ton (99% purity)
- Shandong Hongyang Chemical Co., Ltd. (domestically produced; Shandong Province): RMB 36,000/ton
- Liaocheng Jinxinda New Materials Co., Ltd. (domestically produced; Shandong Province): RMB 34,000/ton
- Recent price volatility: Over the past 30 days, the highest recorded price was RMB 40,000/ton, while the lowest was RMB 34,000/ton—indicating moderate price fluctuation.
2. International Prices
- Overseas nickel chloride prices ranged approximately between USD 2,500–3,000 per ton, subject to frequent fluctuations driven by geopolitical and macroeconomic developments.
II. Market Supply and Demand
1. Supply Situation
- Domestic nickel chloride production capacity is highly concentrated, with East and South China jointly accounting for 76.3% of national capacity. Jiangsu Province’s annual capacity reaches 29,000 tons, representing 31.5% of the national total; Guangdong Province contributes 18,000 tons/year (19.6% share); Zhejiang Province accounts for 13,000 tons/year (14.1% share).
- Capacity utilization for high-end nickel chloride (e.g., 4N grade and above) remains relatively low, constrained by lengthy certification cycles for solvent extraction–recrystallization integrated processes, stringent environmental compliance requirements, and extended customer qualification testing periods (averaging several months).
2. Demand Situation
- The largest consumption segment is new energy applications—primarily synthesis of ternary lithium battery cathode precursors—with 2025 demand reaching 39,000 tons (48.1% of total demand), up 22.7% year-on-year.
- Semiconductor and flat-panel display sputtering target applications consumed 13,000 tons (16.0% share), increasing 31.4% YoY; high-end electroplating (including aerospace components and RF devices for 5G base stations) accounted for 17,000 tons (21.0% share), rising 15.2% YoY.
III. Key Market Influencing Factors
1. Policy Factors
- The National Development and Reform Commission’s “Industrial Structure Adjustment Guidance Catalog (2025 Edition)” classifies nickel chloride production facilities with annual output below 500 tons and purity under 99.99% as restricted capacity, while actively encouraging green hydrogen metallurgy coupled with short-process nickel chloride preparation technologies.
- The General Administration of Customs has included electronic-grade nickel chloride in the provisional monitoring directory of the “Dual-Use Items Export Control List,” mandating exporters to submit end-user commitment letters and technical parameter filings—thereby increasing export compliance costs.
2. Cost Factors
- Nickel chloride production costs are significantly influenced by raw material nickel prices. Recently, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) nickel main-contract price surged by RMB 3,800/ton in a single day, providing strong cost support for nickel chloride.
3. International Situation
- Global imports and exports of nickel chloride have shown steady annual growth. China remains the world’s largest importer of nickel chloride. Changes in global political and economic conditions substantially impact nickel chloride trade flows and pricing.
IV. Analysis, Outlook & Forecast
1. Price Trend
- In the short term, supported by rising nickel prices and cost pressures, nickel chloride prices are likely to remain at elevated levels or experience modest upward movement.
- In the long term, with gradual ramp-up of domestic production capacity, increased share of high-purity products, and reduced import dependency, nickel chloride prices are expected to stabilize.
2. Supply-Demand Outlook
- Demand for nickel chloride in new energy, semiconductor, and high-end electroplating sectors is projected to sustain robust growth, further optimizing the overall supply-demand landscape.
- The high-end nickel chloride market will likely maintain a tight balance, with enterprises possessing reliable supply capabilities and technological advantages securing dominant market positions.
3. Industry Trends
- The nickel chloride industry will accelerate its transformation toward higher purity, lower carbon emissions, and larger-scale operations. Policy guidance and technological breakthroughs will serve as critical drivers for industrial upgrading.
- Domestic substitution will continue deepening, and Chinese enterprises’ competitiveness in the high-end nickel chloride market will steadily strengthen.
Nickel chloride is a green crystalline solid, typically encountered as the hexahydrate (NiCl₂·6H₂O), though anhydrous forms are yellow to brown and hygroscopic. It is non-volatile, odorless, and highly soluble in water; the hexahydrate melts at approximately 100 °C (with decomposition), while the anhydrous form melts at 1001 °C. It is an inorganic transition metal salt and a key nickel(II) compound. Nickel chloride serves primarily as a precursor in the production of nickel metal, catalysts, and nickel-based electroplating baths. It is widely used as a catalyst or intermediate in organic synthesis, battery materials (e.g., Ni–Cd and Ni–MH batteries), and in the manufacture of magnetic materials, pigments, and corrosion-resistant coatings.
Nickel chloride (NiCl2) is used for electroplating nickel onto the surfaces of other metalsand as a chemical reagent in laboratories.
Brown scales, deliquescent
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals. See more about what is Nickel chloride and Nickel chloride SDS information.
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