China's apparent consumption of stainless steel, the main driver of the country's nickel demand, is expected to rise by 5 percent in 2010, Lou Dingbo, president of Baosteel's Stainless Steel Business Unit, said Wednesday.

Lou said that the growth rate in 2010 would not be as strong as last year. Apparent consumption fell sharply in 2007 and 2008, he said. Although it rebounded last year, it did not return to the 2006 level.