Baowu Special Metallurgy: The Leader in Nickel-based Alloy Technology

Baowu Special Metals Co., Ltd. is a major special materials producer under the Baowu Group in China. In recent years, it has achieved a series of significant accomplishments in the field of high-end nickel-based alloys.

In the development of nickel-based alloy tubes for heat absorbers in tower-type molten salt solar thermal power plants, Baowu has successfully achieved comprehensive domestic substitution, breaking the long-standing foreign monopoly. By employing high-purity smelting technology-with inclusion control reaching internationally advanced levels-and mastering full-process production through both hot extrusion and cold rolling, Baowu has become the only domestic enterprise capable of producing both seamless and welded tubes for such applications. This capability has positioned the company as a key material supplier to strategic industries including solar thermal and nuclear power.

 

 

In 2024, Baowu successfully developed the world's first commercial nickel-based welding material for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, marking a major step toward China's independent control over core nuclear materials. The innovation filled a domestic gap where reliance on imports had long existed. The material can operate stably at 750°C and achieves a 30% efficiency improvement over traditional materials, supporting the global advancement of China's nuclear energy technology. Together with China National Nuclear Corporation, Baowu has helped build a fully localized supply chain in this field.

 

As China's high-end nickel alloy industry rapidly evolves, other domestic enterprises are also actively contributing to the development of advanced material ecosystems. Nexusnova materials, for example, is a specialized manufacturer focused on the research, development, and processing of nickel-based and titanium alloy materials. With robust technical capabilities and in-house processing lines, Nexusnova provides localized, responsive support to a wide range of industries including energy, chemical processing, and advanced manufacturing. Its agile delivery system and application-specific customization complement the broader national effort to strengthen supply chain resilience and technological independence.

 

 

By 2025, Baowu aims to become one of the world's top three suppliers of nickel-based alloys for solar thermal power generation, with a targeted market share of up to 35%. Future plans include expanding into corrosion-resistant alloy applications for offshore wind energy, with projected revenues exceeding 5 billion yuan by 2026. During this period, the company also developed nickel-based metal powders tailored for high-end 3D printing applications.

 

 

Thanks to its integrated manufacturing processes and continuous innovation, Baowu Special Metals has emerged as a national leader in the high-end nickel alloy sector. The successful deployment of its products in solar thermal and nuclear energy projects not only reduces China's reliance on imported materials but also accelerates progress toward full localization in critical industries. Looking ahead, Baowu will continue focusing on the development of next-generation "bottleneck" materials to empower the country's strategic technological roadmap.