<article><p class="lead">The China-backed PT Huayue Nickel-Cobalt project on Indonesia's Sulawesi island has completed a feed-in test at its facilities, which will produce nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP). Commissioning is expected in December. </p><p>The project has 60,000 t/yr of nickel content capacity in the form of MHP and is a joint venture between major China's major cobalt producer Huayou Cobalt and stainless steel mill Tsingshan. </p><p>PT Huayue Nickel-Cobalt, together with Tsingshan's 100,000 t/yr nickel matte project in Indonesia and Ningbo Lygend's 36,000 t/yr Indonesian MHP plant, will account for a big portion of <a href="https://metals.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2271550">nickel supply growth in 2022</a>, estimated at 300,000-350,000t. </p><p>MHP is an intermediate product for battery-grade nickel sulphate production. Rising developments in the electric vehicle sector, triggered by global zero emissions targets, have boosted demand for power battery raw materials nickel sulphate and MHP.</p></article>
