China imports of hydrometallurgical cobalt intermediate up 20% YoY in January-February

SHANGHAI, Apr 15 (SMM) – China's imports of hydrometallurgical cobalt intermediate products, a raw material for producing cobalt, came in at 36,012 mt in the first two months of the year, up 20% from the same period last year while down 44% from November-December, showed the latest customs data. 

On the metal content basis, China’s February imports of unwrought cobalt intermediate that was produced through hydrometallurgical processes shrank 18% on the month but rose 40% on the year to stand at 4,400 mt, based on a Co grade of 27%.  

Cobalt raw materials imports in China (Source: SMM, China customs)