Asian Metal News
IM Heyi, a major NPI smelter (10% Ni) in IM, restarted one NPI production line in early May after completing maintenance begun in January 2021.
According to an internal source, the company expects to increase its NPI output to 8 kt in May. The company has been running on one NPI production line since February 2021, with monthly output of 4 kt. Designed with NPI production capacity of 300 ktpy, the company has two sets of 33,000 kVA EFs and produced 95 kt of NPI in 2020.
Heyi mainly uses nickel laterite (1.5% min grade) for NPI production. Mainstream domestic NPI (10% Ni) prices stood at RMB1,105~1,125/mtu this Thursday, holding stable from last week. Industry commentators forecast domestic NPI (10% Ni) prices will remain stable next week, given strong nickel laterite prices.
