China Nickle&Cobalt industry is very promising

       In recent years, the production of primary nickel in China has been gradually declining, and the transfer of production capacity to Indonesia has become a trend. China's primary nickel production in 2017 will reach 590,000 tons, down 2% from a year earlier. Among them, the primary nickel 390,000 tons, electrolytic nickel 130,000 tons, nickel salt 45,000 tons. Since 2010, Indonesia's primary nickel production has been increasing year by year. In 2017 Indonesia's NPI production will increase from 90,000 tons in 2016 to 190,000 tons. Indonesia and China will account for 39% of the global nickel market in 2017.

Stainless steel and battery industry to promote consumption, nickel sulfate expansion to attract global attention. China's primary nickel consumption will reach 1.13 million tons in 2017, with 85% of nickel consumed in the stainless steel industry and only 3% of the battery industry, but the stainless steel industry has only 3.3% growth in consumption, while the consumption of batteries The growth rate will reach 44%.

In 2017, China's electrolytic nickel and nickel ore inventories fell significantly, LME stocks flow to Asian warehouse. In 2017, the apparent consumption in 2017 will fall to 1.03 million tons due to the significant decrease in the import of electrolytic nickel from China. By the end of this year, China's accumulated inventory will drop to 128,000 tons from 230,000 tons at the end of last year. 75% of LME stocks are nickel beans, of which 77% are stored in Asian warehouses.

For the nickel industry, the most difficult period or past, the future is full of hope. In 2016 ~ 2018, the market showed insufficient supply for three consecutive years, which will help raise the nickel price in 2018.

At present, the biggest impact on the nickel market is stainless steel, Indonesia's NPI project, Indonesian and Philippine mining policies and other factors. However, the development of new energy vehicles will open a new journey for the nickel industry.