Weiming nickel production accelerates with cathode ramp and Indonesia link

Weiming

Weiming nickel production is gaining momentum as its first cathode line stabilizes. Weiming nickel production reached 4,445t in the first half. Weiming nickel production will scale further as Phase 2 enters commissioning.

China-based Weiming produced nickel cathode for the first time this year. The Wenzhou Phase 1 capacity is 25,000 t/yr. The identical Phase 2 line is commissioning now. Together, the site targets 50,000 t/yr at nameplate.

Downstream buyers seek stable cathode amid price swings. Therefore, Weiming’s domestic output helps de-risk Chinese supply chains. The company also diversifies into lithium inputs to support EV growth.

Capacity ramp and Indonesia integration

Weiming’s Indonesian arm, Jiaman, produced 2,306t nickel metal equivalent. The form was nickel matte over January–June. Jakarta granted an operating and sales license on 14 July. This enables commercial shipments and feedstock flexibility.

The integrated chain supports both matte and cathode pathways. As a result, Weiming can balance raw material flows and margins. Vertical coordination should reduce costs as volumes rise.

Meanwhile, Weiming plans an 80mn yuan investment for lithium. The stake equals 10% in a 60,000 t/yr lithium carbonate project. The site is in Quanzhou, Fujian. This move aligns with rising battery-grade demand.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Weiming’s twin-track strategy blends domestic cathode and Indonesian matte. Execution on Phase 2 will determine 2026 run-rate economics. Watch unit costs, license-driven sales cadence, and lithium integration benefits.

Weiming Launches Nickel Cathode Production in Zhejiang Province

Weiming

Chinese Manufacturer Aims to Boost Nickel Output with New Facility

Weiming, a major Chinese environmental protection equipment manufacturer, has started producing nickel cathodes at its subsidiary, Weiming Shengqing, located in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. This development marks a significant milestone as the company ramps up its nickel production capacity to meet growing global demand for the metal.

The first phase of the project is focused on a 25,000-tonne-per-year (t/yr) production capacity for nickel cathodes. Weiming is progressing well with this phase, and it expects to complete the second phase—also adding another 25,000 t/yr—by the first half of 2025. Once fully operational, the plant will contribute significantly to China's nickel supply, which is essential for battery production and other industrial applications.

Sourcing Raw Materials for Cathode Production

Weiming uses nickel matte and mixed-hydroxide-precipitate (MHP) as the primary feedstocks for its nickel cathode production. In August 2024, the company received its first shipment of nickel matte from Indonesia, amounting to 1,429 tons. This shipment marks a key milestone in Weiming’s strategy to secure reliable and sustainable sources of raw materials for its operations.

The company also operates the Jiaman high nickel matte project in Indonesia in partnership with Merit International Capital. This project, with a nameplate capacity of 40,000 tons per year of nickel metal equivalent, is poised to further support Weiming’s nickel supply chain. Located in the Weda Bay region of North Maluku Province, the project features four production lines, each capable of producing 10,000 tons of nickel metal equivalent annually.

Future Outlook for Weiming's Nickel Production

As the demand for nickel continues to rise, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery sectors, Weiming's expansion into nickel cathode production strengthens its position in the global metals market. The company’s strategic investments in Indonesia, alongside its domestic production capacity, will help ensure a steady supply of nickel to meet both local and international demand.

With the second phase of the production facility expected to complete by mid-2025, Weiming is set to play an increasingly pivotal role in global nickel production. This expansion reflects broader trends in the metals industry, where companies are focusing on securing sustainable and high-quality feedstocks to support the green energy transition.

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China's Weiming Advances Nickel Matte Project in Indonesia

Chinese environmental protection equipment manufacturer Weiming made significant progress on August 25 in its Jiaman high nickel matte project, located in the north Maluku province of Wedabay, Indonesia. The company began preheating the first side-blown converter, a critical step toward moving the equipment into the linkage debugging phase before full-scale production begins.

Jiaman, a joint venture between Weiming and Merit International Capital, has a nameplate capacity of 40,000 tons per year in nickel metal equivalent. The facility features four production lines, each capable of producing 10,000 tons of nickel metal equivalent annually.

The Jiaman project is notable for being the second in Indonesia to adopt the oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace (OESBF) process, following a similar initiative by Chinese nickel and lithium-ion battery cathode active material (CAM) precursor producer CNGR in 2022. The OESBF process is considered cost-effective, utilizing ores with low nickel content and enabling the recovery of cobalt metal, according to CNGR.

Market observers are closely watching the development and feasibility of the OESBF process, as it remains an emerging technology.

In addition to the Jiaman project, Weiming is involved in two other high nickel matte projects in Indonesia, with production capacities of 40,000 tons and 50,000 tons per year, respectively. These ventures will bring Weiming's total nickel metal production capacity in Indonesia to 130,000 tons annually.