China’s cobalt sulphate output rebounds in Jul

SHANGHAI, Aug 20 (SMM) – China’s cobalt sulphate output edged up 4% from June to stand at 1,520 mt in metal content in July as production recovered from environmental restrictions, SMM research found.

The progress of production recovery at producers, however, was slower than expected as those in Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces postponed their resumption to August on weak downstream demand.

SMM expects output to extend its gains in August as supply would further recover. While demand from cathode material producers holds steady, smelters are still likely to resume their operations but operate at low levels as they cannot afford the losses for shutting down for more than three months.