Probes, energy issues to affect NPI output in Oct

SHANGHAI, Oct 17 (SMM) – Environmental probes by the central government and electricity supply constraints are likely to impact nickel pig iron (NPI) production in October, SMM research found.

NPI plants in Liaoning received notice that environmental inspectors from the central government will settle to the province for about a month, from October 20. Authorities have yet to order plants to cut production, SMM learned.

Liaoning produced 2,700 mt in nickel content of NPI in September.

A plant in Liaoning is mulling the postponement of output recovery from this round of probes. It began maintenance from the end of September. The plant produced over 700 mt in nickel content of NPI last month, accounting for 2% of the overall monthly output across the country.

Ulanqab city of Inner Mongolia began to limit power use earlier this week. This is estimated to impact NPI output across the province by 10% in October. Plants in Inner Mongolia produced some 5,300 mt in nickel content of high-grade NPI in September.

Separately, a high-grade NPI plant in central China plans to overhaul its furnaces from the end of October or the beginning of November. This is expected to take a month.

The plant produced 270 mt in nickel content of high-grade NPI in September, accounting for 1% of the overall monthly output across China.