Global nickel market seen in third year of deficit in 2018 – INSG

Global demand for nickel is expected to outstrip supply for a third year running in 2018, as demand from the stainless steel industry expands and production of nickel-containing batteries grows, the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) said on Tuesday. Global demand for nickel is seen increasing to 2.259-million tonnes, compared with supply at 2.206-million tonnes, it said in its latest annual forecast, resulting in a deficit for refined nickel of 53 000 tonnes next year.