BRICS Nations Urged to Partner with Nornickel on Palladium Innovations for Clean Energy
At the "BRICS Climate Agenda in Modern Conditions" forum held in Moscow, Nornickel proposed a collaborative approach with BRICS nations to further develop the palladium sector, focusing on green technologies. The forum, which addressed global climate change and strategies to mitigate its effects, saw the participation of Nornickel’s Palladium Center, which emphasized the strategic role of palladium in driving the transition to cleaner energy sources and sustainable technologies.
Nornickel, one of the world’s leading producers of palladium, plans to produce between 2.3 and 2.45 million troy ounces of the metal in 2024. To capitalize on the rising demand for palladium, the company has established a dedicated research and development center focused on exploring new applications for the metal. The Nornickel Palladium Center is particularly focused on expanding palladium's use in green energy sectors, including hydrogen fuel production, solar power generation, and biofuels, all of which are critical to reducing global carbon emissions.
Dmitry Izotov, head of the Palladium Center, spoke at the forum, highlighting the potential for BRICS countries to play a leading role in the global shift towards green technologies. He emphasized that BRICS members, including Russia, China, and the UAE, have the scientific expertise and technological needs required to lead the charge in sustainable innovation. Izotov outlined the Palladium Center’s plans to collaborate with scientific institutions and industries within BRICS to drive the development and commercialization of palladium-based technologies.
“The BRICS countries have everything it takes to lead the global climate agenda: scientific capabilities, a demand for green technologies, and the resources to innovate. We are actively working with scientific teams from Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates and plan to expand our partnerships to other BRICS nations. Our Palladium Center is prepared to serve as a pilot platform for testing new technologies, offering the opportunity to develop and commercialize solutions that can be applied on a global scale,” Izotov stated.
One of the key initiatives proposed by Nornickel at the forum was the establishment of scientific laboratories and university research chairs dedicated to studying palladium's properties and potential applications. The Palladium Center also aims to collaborate with private companies to accelerate the adoption of these technologies. Furthermore, Izotov emphasized the need to align government research programs with the technological requirements of industries to increase the practical implementation of innovative developments.
Nornickel's Palladium Center has already built an impressive portfolio of projects, focusing on integrating palladium into hydrogen and solar energy production, as well as biofuel technologies. These projects are part of Nornickel’s long-term vision to introduce more than 100 new palladium-based products to the global market by 2030. The company expects this initiative to increase annual global demand for palladium by 40 tons, solidifying the metal’s importance in the global green economy.
To support this plan, Nornickel has committed to investing $100 million in the development and scaling of these technologies. This investment will fund ongoing research and pilot projects, which are expected to lead to the commercialization of new palladium applications that can support the growing demand for clean energy and sustainable technologies.
Izotov stressed that BRICS nations have the potential to benefit significantly from these collaborations, both in terms of economic development and environmental sustainability. As countries within the BRICS bloc look to reduce their carbon footprints and invest in cleaner technologies, palladium-based solutions could play a key role in achieving these goals. Nornickel’s proposal to use its Palladium Center as a testing ground for new technologies offers BRICS members a unique opportunity to explore the use of palladium in emerging industries.
In addition to the technological advancements, Nornickel’s vision includes fostering closer relationships between academia, government, and industry to drive innovation. The company believes that by integrating research efforts with the practical needs of businesses, BRICS countries can lead the development of green technologies that will not only benefit their economies but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
