Nickel pig iron production seen jumping as costs tumble

China's output of nickel pig iron, a cheaper alternative to refined metal, may increase 36 percent this year as production costs decline, according to Beijing Antaike Information Development Co.self storage Output may climb to 450,000 metric tons from 330,000 metric tons last year, said Fan Runze, a Beijing-based analyst at the researcher, a unit of the China Nonferrous Metals In迷你倉ustry Association. The average cost for Chinese NPI makers fell to $12,500 a metric ton from $13,500 early this year as producers cut overheads through new technology, said Fan. Nickel, used in stainless steel, tumbled into a bear market in May and is set for a third yearly loss as demand waned and China increased output of the substitute derived from lower-grade ores.文件倉