China Leads Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb Demand Growth

Chinese copper demand will represent 36% of world demand by 2020 compared with current 30%, according to outlook by Metal Economics Research Institute of Japan and University of Tokyo. Chinese nickel demand share will increase from 26% to 33%. The share increases to 41% for zinc from current 37% while the share increases to 48% by 2015 for lead from 39%.

World copper demand will increase by annual 3.8% to 22.51 million tonnes by 2015 and to 27.25 million tonnes by 2020 from current 18 million tonnes, according to the outlook. Asian demand represents 62% of total demand and increases by annual 4.7% compared with 2% growth in Europe and USA. Chinese demand will increase by annual 5.7% to 9.86 million tonnes by 2020 from 5.67 million tonnes in 2010.

World nickel demand will increase to 2 million tonnes by 2020 from 1.34 million tonnes in 2010. Asian nickel demand will increase by annual 5.2% compared with 4.1% growth in the world. Chinese demand will increase by annual 6.8% to 670,000 tonnes in 2020 from 340,000 tonnes in 2010.

World zinc demand will increase to 15.44 million tonnes in 2020 from current 11 million. The annual growth rate is 2.7%. Chinese zinc demand will increase by annual 3.6% to 6.27 million tonnes from 4.31 million tonnes while Asian demand represents 62% of the world.

World lead demand will increase to 11.75 million tonnes by 2015 from 9.29 million tonnes in 2010. Chinese lead demand will increase by annual 9% to 5.65 million tonnes from 3.66 million tonnes while world demand will increase by annual 4.8%.