Cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for cobalt mattes, unwrought cobalt, and powders began to contract from 2019 onward, with volume dropping from 2 337 t to 2 069 t by 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted mining, processing, and transport, reducing the availability of cobalt raw materials. Simultaneously, the rapid adoption of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which overtook cobalt-based batteries in installed capacity during 2021, decreased demand for cobalt in key sectors like electric vehicles. German industry also started actively seeking alternative cobalt sources and reducing cobalt content in batteries to cut reliance on problematic supply countries.

A sharp turning point came in 2022 when domestic production more than doubled to 827 t, but the market volume collapsed to 905 t as exports surged to 2 243 t. This shift was driven by global supply concentration, with the Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for around 70% of world output, and Indonesia expanding its role through the nickel boom. These factors increased price volatility and altered trade flows, encouraging German producers to export more while domestic consumption fell.

By 2024, market volume had fallen further to 554 t. New regulatory pressures played a key role: Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, effective January 2024, imposed strict human-rights and environmental standards on companies sourcing cobalt. The EU Battery Regulation set quotas for recycled content, raising recycling requirements. These rules made it more complex and costly to import cobalt from high-risk regions, pushing industry toward alternative sources and recycling, further reducing traditional market volume.

Production cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders was valued at 26 320 K $ US, representing a year-over-year decline of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 379.2 t of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders, marking a gradual improvement of 7.0% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's export volume of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 378 t, a decrease of 15.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 30.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports in kind of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders were not concentrated on a few key markets. Italy accounted for 16.8% of exports in kind, the United States for 10.2%, and France for 9.4%, with these three countries together making up only 36.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's export value of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports registered 31.4 M $ US, a steep decrease of 25.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 22.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 49.1 M $ US, with the largest increase of 20.9% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period 2017–2020, Germany's exports in value terms of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Italy accounted for 14.9% of exports in value terms, France for 9.4%, and the United States for 9.1%, with these three countries together accounting for only 33.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's import volume of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 2 190 t, which is 9.9% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

The country composition of Germany's imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Belgium accounted for 20.3% of imports in kind, the United States for 15.0%, and Canada for 12.0%, with these three countries together forming just 47.3% of total flows. The remaining 52.7% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's import value of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 89.5 M $ US, which is 21.4% less than in 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 45.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 230.7 M $ US. The largest decline of 50.7% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 39.7% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Germany's imports in value terms of cobalt mattes, unwrought and powders were spread relatively evenly. Belgium accounted for 20.9% of imports in value terms, Finland for 13.3%, and the United States for 12.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 46.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020