Amazing LFP Vs Nickel, Which One Is More Beneficial?

Nickel (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Advisory Board of the Indonesian Metalurgi Professional Association (Prometindo) Arif Tiammaf gave an explanation regarding the issue of using nickel as a raw material component for electric vehicles. Just so you know, nickel is currently widely compared to Lithium Fero Phosphate (LFP) as a substitute for nickel.

As is known, LFP was in the spotlight after being mentioned by the Vice Presidential Candidate (Cawapres) Number 02 in the 2024 Piplres Candidate Debate, Sunday, January 21.

Arif explained, in terms of economics, LFP is much cheaper than the use of nickel.

"LFP is only 27 percent of Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC). Meanwhile, up to the battery level, only 80 percent of the NMC level," he said in the Mining Zone quoted Wednesday, January 24.

Thus, he said, from the commercial side, the use of LFP battery-based electric vehicles is much cheaper than the use of nickel-based batteries.

Meanwhile, from an environmental perspective, Arif explained that Fero or iron resources and reserves are much more abundant than nickel. As is known, nickel has entered the category of critical minerals.

"In terms of recycling capabilities, LFP and NMC can each be recycled, but from the economy, if we recycle nickel-based batteries, it is much more profitable than iron-based batteries," continued Arif.

He further explained that when recycling nickel-based batteries, it would be easier to obtain nickelcobalt, manganese and lithium.

"Meanwhile, based on LFP, FE aau iron when it comes from battery materials, the effort is economically heavy unless there is lithium," added Arif.

So economically, Arif concluded that NMC-based battery recycling is much more profitable than LFP batteries.

"So in the long term and the environment, NMC is more profitable than LFP," concluded Arif.