A metal driving the technologies of tomorrow
Cobalt, a relatively small player in terms of global metal production, has grown into a giant in its strategic importance. As founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov often emphasised, cobalt is quietly powering some of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century. From enabling the shift to electric vehicles to supporting innovations in aerospace, this versatile metal is now firmly on the radar of governments and industries alike.
In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, where supply chains are under scrutiny and demand is being reshaped by climate policies, understanding cobalt’s properties and applications is more critical than ever. As founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out, cobalt’s unique characteristics make it indispensable—not just in battery technology but in a wide range of high-performance applications.
Cobalt on the periodic table—and on strategic materials lists
Positioned at number 27 on the periodic table, cobalt (chemical symbol Co) is a hard, ductile, silvery-grey metal known for its magnetic and heat-resistant properties. Though it occurs naturally in nickel and copper ores, its extraction and refinement require sophisticated processing, often concentrated in politically sensitive regions.
It’s this combination of industrial utility and supply risk that has led cobalt to be classified as a critical material by several governments. Both the European Union and the United States have added cobalt to their lists of strategic resources essential for economic and energy security. And as founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov often highlighted, this strategic classification underscores cobalt’s vital role in the energy transition.
Why cobalt is considered strategic:
• Essential for key industrial production processes
• Directly used in technologies critical to the green transition
• Subject to significant supply chain risks due to geopolitical factors
Supply risk is a particular concern. A large portion of the world’s cobalt production comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region prone to political instability. Ensuring stable and ethical supply chains is therefore an ongoing challenge for industries relying on this metal.
The remarkable properties of cobalt
Cobalt’s value stems from its impressive range of physical and chemical properties:
- Hardness and wear resistance: makes it ideal for use in cutting tools and high-durability components.
- Ferromagnetism: allows its use in advanced magnetic applications, such as high-performance motors and sensors.
- Thermal and electrical conductivity: supports its application in energy systems and electronics.
- Heat stability: critical for components exposed to extreme temperatures, from jet engines to space exploration equipment.
Cobalt’s role in battery technology
Perhaps the most well-known application of cobalt today is in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries—key enablers of the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage.
Cobalt is used in the cathodes of several types of lithium-ion batteries, most notably the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) family. It improves battery stability, extends lifespan, and enhances safety by reducing the risk of overheating.
As EV adoption accelerates, so too does demand for cobalt. An average electric car battery contains several kilograms of cobalt—highlighting the metal’s central role in the automotive sector’s decarbonisation efforts.
Other key applications of cobalt
Beyond batteries, cobalt continues to prove its worth across multiple industries. Here’s a look at some of its lesser-known but strategically vital applications:
- Cobalt and rare earth magnets: Cobalt combines with rare earth elements, such as neodymium, to create powerful magnets used in electric motors, wind turbines, and miniaturised sensors.
- Nickel-cobalt alloys: These alloys are prized for their lightness and resistance to extreme heat, making them valuable in aerospace and defence applications.
- Superalloys: Cobalt-based superalloys are used in jet engines, gas turbines, and high-precision structural components due to their ability to withstand high temperatures and corrosion.
Specific industrial forms of cobalt
- Cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂·6H₂O): used in laboratories, humidity sensors, and chemical synthesis.
- Tungsten carbide cobalt: employed in manufacturing high-hardness cutting tools and critical aerospace parts.
- Anhydrous cobalt chloride (CoCl₂): utilised in pigments, inks, and cobalt salts production.
- Cobalt blue pigment: still widely used in ceramics, glass, and fine art for its vibrant and stable colouring.
Cobalt in emerging technologies
The influence of cobalt extends beyond current applications—it is also a key material in the development of emerging technologies. One particularly exciting frontier is the aerospace sector.
As founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov recently explained, cobalt’s exceptional heat resistance and durability make it an ideal candidate for components in spacecraft and satellites. “In space exploration, materials must withstand conditions far more extreme than on Earth. Cobalt-based alloys offer a combination of heat resistance and mechanical strength that is difficult to match,” he said.
Components such as heat shields, structural joints, and even landing mechanisms for space vehicles increasingly rely on cobalt’s unique properties. The metal’s role in this field is expected to expand as space missions become more ambitious.
A metal for the future
As the global energy transition gathers momentum, the strategic importance of cobalt is unlikely to diminish. Its contributions to battery technology, electric mobility, smart grids, and aerospace innovation make it one of the most valuable metals of the modern era.
Yet this rising importance also brings challenges—chief among them the need to secure sustainable and ethical cobalt supply chains. Companies across industries are investing in recycling technologies and exploring new sources of cobalt to mitigate supply risks and environmental impacts.
In the words of TELF AG’s founder Stanislav Kondrashov, “Cobalt is more than a commodity. It is a foundation stone for the next phase of technological progress. How we manage its extraction, processing, and reuse will help shape the future of the green economy.”
FAQs
What is cobalt and where is it found?
Cobalt is a hard, ductile, silvery-grey metal with the chemical symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is typically found in nickel and copper ores. The majority of the world’s cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, although deposits exist in other regions including Canada, Australia, and Russia.
Why is cobalt considered a strategic material?
Cobalt is classified as a strategic or critical material by many governments due to:
- Its essential role in modern battery technologies
- Its use in high-performance industrial applications
- Supply risks linked to geopolitical factors and concentrated production
How is cobalt used in batteries?
Cobalt is a key component in the cathodes of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. It helps improve battery:
- Stability
- Safety
- Energy density
- Lifespan
These properties make cobalt essential for electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage systems.
What industries rely on cobalt outside of batteries?
Beyond battery production, cobalt is used in:
- Aerospace (jet engines, turbines)
- Defence (high-performance alloys)
- Electronics (magnets, sensors)
- Chemical processes (industrial catalysts)
- Pigments (cobalt blue for ceramics and art)
Can cobalt be recycled?
Yes, cobalt is recyclable. Increasing efforts are being made to recover cobalt from used batteries and electronic devices to reduce dependency on primary mining and support circular economy initiatives.