Eramet Eyes New Investments in Indonesia’s Nickel Sector After BASF Project Falls Through

French mining company Eramet has announced plans to increase its investment in Indonesia, exploring potential partnerships to produce battery-grade nickel in the country. This move follows the collapse of a similar project with German chemical giant BASF in late June.

Eramet Indonesia Director Bruno Faour revealed that the company is actively seeking opportunities to invest in existing high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) nickel ore processing plants. They are looking to partner with companies that already have operational smelters or are in the process of constructing them.

"We have nothing concrete to announce today about potential agreements, but we are open to partnerships in existing or new HPAL projects," Faour stated to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Faour emphasized that Eramet is open to collaborating with various industry players, provided these potential partners align with the company’s goal of producing sustainable materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.