Production of nickel mattes ended at SLN (New Caledonia) in August 2016. The company is now only dedicated to the production of SLN® 25 ferronickel, which is economically more interesting. SLN is currently the world’s largest producer of ferronickel.
The SLN’s Bessemer unit has completed its latest production campaign on August 10, 2016. The company has indeed decided to stop producing mattes in its Doniambo plant in order to focus on its flagship product – SLN® 25 ferronickel – and thus to consolidate its position as world’s largest producer of this product. This decision is part of the 2018 SLN Performance Plan, which should enable the company to regain competitiveness in a very difficult market. It will enable a saving of around € 30 million per year.
SLN had been producing nickel matte since the 1880s and a ceremony was organized for this last historical cast. It was attended by the 63 employees of the Bessemer unit, all redeployed in other plant departments, as well as retired people, social partners and the steering committee.
Due to the shutdown of the production line, the ERAMET Sandouville plant (France) will source nickel matte from an external producer, geographically closer, from 2017.
