Exclusive: China's NPI output rose 3.42% MoM to 44,700 mt Ni in August

SHANGHAI, Sep 7 (SMM) — China's NPI output rose 3.42% from July to 44,700 mt Ni in August, but was 15.88% lower than a year earlier. This included 37,400 mt Ni of high-grade NPI, up 3.67% on the month, and 7,400 mt Ni of low-grade NPI, up 2.18% month on month.

Major large-scale plants stepped up production in August as high-grade NPI prices continued to rise and market supply was tight, and this, combined with commissioning of new capacities, contributed to the increase in NPI output. Increased output at #200 stainless steel mills led to the rise in low-grade NPI output.   

China's NPI output 

SMM expects China's NPI output to dip 0.09% on the month, and 15.29% on the year, to 44,680 mt Ni in September due to shorter operating rates, with high-grade NPI output inching up 0.11% on the month to 37,400 mt Ni while low-grade NPI output falling 1.12% to 7,300 mt Ni.