BRUSSELS- The European Union is escalating its challenge at the World Trade Organization over Indonesia's export curbs on nickel ore by requesting the Geneva-based trade body form a panel to adjudicate on the case.

The bloc launched its complaint in Nov 2019 against the export restrictions on raw materials, notably nickel ore and iron ore, that are used to make stainless steel. The European Commission said on Thursday it was now requesting the panel.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, editing by Marine Strauss) ((philip.blenkinsop@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 585 2869; Reuters Messaging: philip.blenkinsop.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))