Predominantly a stainless steel maker, the company came out of nowhere to become the world's top nickel producer in 2018 thanks to its pioneering use of low-grade nickel pig iron.
Tsingshan Holding Group, the Chinese firm that shook the nickel world by rapidly boosting output in Indonesia, is among the latest entrants to the white-hot lithium sector, potentially making it a one-stop shop for electric vehicle (EV) battery ingredients.