Operating Rate in China Copper Flat-Rolling Industry to Rise Further in May, SMM Expects

SHANGHAI, May 23 (SMM) –SMM’s survey of 21 Chinese copper plate/sheet, strip and foil producers, with capacity totaling 1.19 million tonnes, found their average operating rate was 72.55% in April, up 1.57 percentage points from March and 2.86 percentage points from a year ago.

Copper plate/sheet and strip demand was flat at March’s level, and real estate market boom boosted demand, stimulating producers to run at high capacity. Copper foil demand from electronics and home appliance and new energy vehicle markets increased, tightening copper foil supply. 

As for outlook in May, SMM sees operating rate in the survey sample rising further to 72.96%. About 14% of producers foresee orders to rise further in May due to peak season, mainly for copper plate/sheet and strip from hardware and electro-mechanical sectors. Approximately 76% of producers expect operating rate to be flat at April’s level, and 10% of producers predict copper plate/sheet and strip demand to drop from highs in May. 

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