SHANGHAI, Mar 8 (SMM)—China’s nickel sulphate output declined 5.86% from January but surged 132.91% on the year, to 68,500 mt or 15,100 mt in nickel content in February. This included 60,900 mt of battery-grade materials and 7,600 mt of electroplating materials. Output slid at some nickel salts plants in February due to the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday or shortages of raw materials. A large nickel salts plants which had previously suspended its nickel sulphate lines due to accidents did not recover till the end of February.  

SMM expects China’s nickel sulphate output to increase 15.19% from February and 65.22% from a year ago to 17,400 mt Ni in March, as nickel salts plants have resumed production. In addition, premiums of battery-grade nickel sulphate against nickel briquette hit a new high in nearly three years as nickel prices tumbled recently, which prompted nickel sulphate downstream buyers to purchase nickel briquette.