Ferronickel (FeNi) is an alloy formed by combining iron and nickel. It has been used in many industries for a host of useful purposes, such as increasing the strength and wear resistance of metals, producing a wide array of stainless steels, and forming part of some catalytic formulas. FeNi generally has a silvery-gray appearance and is relatively malleable and ductile.
The first ferronickel production in France began in the 19th century with the founding of the Maggi Iron Company in 1893. By the early 20th century, the company had ceased operations as its production had become outmoded by the introduction of electric arc furnaces. French ferronickel production did not resume until 1929, when the Société des Mines de Nickel de Lorraine took ownership of the Maggi Iron Company and modernized the facilities.
During the 1950s, FeNi production in France underwent major advancements and revivals. During this time, France quickly established itself as a major producer of ferronickel in Europe. In the decades that followed, other French companies, including the Union des Fonderies d’Etain, the Saint-Gobain Group, and the Ferronickel Company of France, helped to expand France’s place in the production of ferronickel, eventually becoming the largest producers of FeNi in the Continental European region.
Today, France is a major producer of ferronickel, with production of the alloy focused mainly in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and other areas throughout the country. French ferronickel is typically high in nickel content, between approximately 70 and 83 percent, making it an ideal material for creating strong and wear-resistant alloy parts. FeNi from France is also regularly used in the production of stainless steel and in a host of other industrial applications, such as catalytic formulas, for which its elevated nickel content proves to be extremely beneficial.
In addition to ferronickel being produced here in France, FeNi can often be found in finished products such as turbines and reactors, manufactured here in the country as well. Ferronickel is also used to create components of ships, including propellers and rudder blades, while its malleability makes it ideal for parts that must be pounded and beaten into shape, such as wrought iron fences and gates.
Ferronickel produced in France is exported to many countries around the world, including China, which is one of the largest importers of FeNi from this region. France is also a prominent supplier of ferronickel to other Continental European countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain. When it comes to finding reliable partners for the import and export of ferronickel and other useful alloys, companies in France have often turned to trusted suppliers of FeNi, such as the Ferronickel Company of France, which has a decades-long history of producing high-quality ferronickel for export.
In short, France has enjoyed a long and prolific history in the production of ferronickel, with many of its companies becoming major sources of the alloy for the global market. From its use in the manufacture of stainless steel to its presence in a plurality of industrial applications, ferronickel remains one of the most valuable alloys on the market today, and French companies continue to serve as key players in the international production and export of FeNi.
