Nickel demand in China up by 25%

China抯 domestic demand for nickelis estimated to have risen by an annualaverage rate of almost 25% between 2000and 2009, according to Roskill InformationServices Ltd. This phenomenal growthhas seen China become the world抯 largestconsumer of nickel. Demand for nickelis predominantly driven by stainless steelproduction, which accounts for aroundtwo-thirds of total nickel consumption. In the first three quarters of 2009,China抯 production of stainless steel riseby almost 20% year-on-year, while forthe year, China is forecast to produce 8-9metric tons. At the world level, crude stainless steelproduction in 2010 is expected to see anincrease in demand and production, as worldGDP recovers. Production of crude stainlesssteel is forecast to rise by around 8% in 2010.Air More Uptempo