SHANGHAI, Jan 9 (SMM) – China produced 37,600 mt of nickel sulphate with Ni content in December 2022. The output stood at 170,800 mt in physical content, down 11.39% month on month but up 34.97% year on year.

The demand for ternary batteries from new energy vehicle manufactures has diminished as they completed battery installation in late November. Some ternary battery plants integrated with nickel sulphate capacity cut output as a result of significantly lower output of ternary batteries. The use of nickel matte accounted for 33% in December, and that of MHP accounted for 45%. The use of nickel briquette and nickel powder accounted for only 1% due to the lack of cost efficiency.

Except for some that had nickel briquette and nickel powder raw materials under long-term contracts, other nickel sulphate enterprises have suspended production. Scrap accounted for 13% of the use of raw materials.

In January, demand for nickel sulphate from ternary manufacturers will weaken further. Some plants have maintenance plans in mid-January, and some enterprises are expected to curtail their production due to orders. Output of nickel sulphate in January is expected to decrease 4.5% from December to 35,900 mt in Ni content.