China's Secondary Aluminum Industry Sees Operating Rates Drop Amid Slowing Orders and Early Holidays

Published: Apr 30, 2026 14:47

Save

[SMM Aluminum News] This week, the operating rate of leading enterprises in China's secondary aluminum industry edged down WoW. On one hand, amid shrinking orders, downstream enterprises generally reduced procurement volumes, maintaining a pace of just-needed, small-batch restocking. On the other hand, some enterprises halted production and went on early holidays due to insufficient orders or inventory risk control considerations, further suppressing market transaction activity and dragging down the operating rate of secondary aluminum producers. As off-season characteristics in May further intensified, if downstream resumption pace remained slow and new orders failed to follow through, the industry's operating rate would still face certain downward pressure.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

9 mins ago

[SMM Aluminum Flash News] Hydro Supplies Recycled Aluminum to Mercedes-Benz Trucks Circular Project

Hydro has supplied recycled aluminum to the Mercedes-Benz Trucks reECONIC project, delivering 31 extruded parts totaling about 600 kg. The components are made from Hydro CIRCAL, containing at least 75% post-consumer scrap, and produced entirely in Europe. Based on the electric eEconic vehicle, the project applies circular design across sourcing, manufacturing and end-of-life recycling to reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. The company noted that aluminum can be repeatedly recycled without loss of properties, supporting low-carbon mobility.

9 mins ago

31 mins ago

Prebaked Anode Market Faces Short-Term Pressure, Prices Continue Upward Trend in May

[SMM Aluminum News Brief] The fundamentals of the prebaked anode raw material market were under short-term pressure, and cost support for prebaked anode prices loosened somewhat but remained relatively firm. Cost support for prebaked anodes was solid during the April cycle, and SMM learned that prebaked anode prices continued their upward trend in May. Going forward, close attention should be paid to changes in the supply-demand pattern and price trends of prebaked anodes and upstream raw materials.

31 mins ago

Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Apr 30)

The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 30 Apr , 2026

31 mins ago