China to see higher-grade NPI output

Published: Jan 04, 2018 15:35 (GMT+8)

Save

China has seen more higher-grade production of nickel pig iron (NPI) as the country imported more nickel ore from Indonesia in 2017.

SHANGHAI, Jan 4 (SMM)－ China has seen more higher-grade production of nickel pig iron (NPI) as the country imported more nickel ore from Indonesia in 2017.

While the Philippines remains the largest supplier of nickel ore to China last year, imports from Indonesia grew over eight folds in the first 11 months of 2017, according to the latest customs data.

Materials from Indonesia typically are of better grade than those from the Philippines.

SMM learned that one major NPI plant in east China saw products with 10-11% Ni, while it was only producing NPI with 8.5-9% Ni a year ago.

This means that the nickel content of NPI would increase by 20% on the same weight basis.

For editorial queries, please contact Daisy Tseng at daisy@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please email service.en@smm.cn

nickel NPI Indonesia

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

Oct 16, 2026 18:08 (GMT+8)

[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Push High-Grade NPI Price Center Downward

[SMM Analysis: Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Drag Down High-Grade NPI Price Center] The average price of SMM 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 7.9 yuan/nickel unit WoW to 1,029.4 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included). The average price of the Indonesian NPI FOB index fell 0.7 $/nickel unit WoW to 133.2 $/nickel unit. This week, the high-grade NPI market continued to drift lower, with the price center moving down steadily and bearish sentiment intensifying.

Oct 16, 2026 18:08 (GMT+8)

Oct 16, 2026 17:26 (GMT+8)

[SMM Analysis] Downside Risks for Cobalt Salt Prices Remain, Nickel Intermediate Product Payables Stay Weak This Week

Oct 16, 2026 17:26 (GMT+8)

Oct 16, 2026 17:03 (GMT+8)

[SMM Nickel Flash] Indonesia Approves Revised 2026 RKAB Nickel Ore Production Quota of Approximately 290 Million Tonnes

According to Tri Winarno, Director General of Minerals and Coal at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Indonesian government has approved a revised 2026 RKAB nickel ore production quota of approximately 290 million tonnes Previously, the Indonesian government had initially set the 2026 RKAB nickel ore production target at around 250–260 million tonnes.

Oct 16, 2026 17:03 (GMT+8)