Building and construction sector (20% of nickel use)
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There are many different applications with none dominating. Fasteners are the largest sector
(4.8%); followed by sinks and baths (2.6%); wire, cable and ropes (2.6%); street furniture (2.2%); elevators
(lifts) and escalators (2%); space heating (2%); chimney liners (1.6%), with the balance (including batteries
for emergency lighting) totaling 1.6%. The products are overwhelmingly stainless steel with chromium
nickel-plated copper also being widely used - especially in bathrooms.
Dispersed use. Effectiveness of collection at end-of-life is dependent upon the ease with which the metals can be recognized by dismantlers. Large stainless steel panels, sinks, chimneys and street furniture are easily recognized and high collection and recycling rates can be safely assumed. Plumbing fittings are also routinely collected for their copper value. Large batteries are collected and processed into the nickel loop. Fasteners are more difficult to recognize and collect. This especially applies to screws, bolts etc. where they are used in wood or concrete. These are unlikely to be collected at the first stage of demolition. They might be collected if the building materials waste is subsequently processed by, for example, crushing or burning, thereby allowing the metal fraction to be concentrated.
Assumptions: Average life 30 years: 40% recycled into nickel loops, 30% recycled into general steel or
copper loops, 30% generally dispersed, including to landfill.
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