Nickel pig iron

Nickel pig iron (NPI) is a low grade ferronickel invented in China as a cheaper alternative to pure nickel for the production of stainless steel[citation needed].

The alternative was developed as a response to the high price of pure nickel.

According to the Canadian city of Sudbury, nickel pig iron equals "dirty nickel" because the production process is not environmentally friendly, the carbon dioxide emissions being particularly high.

China had imported most of the nickel containing ore from Indonesia and the Philippines, but as of Jan 2014, Indonesia has banned the export of ore[citation needed].

China imported 53 percent of the nickel ore from Indonesia in 2011[citation needed].