SMM Analysis on Operating Rates of Alumina Refineries by Major Province in China in March

SHANGHAI, Apr 10 (SMM) – Henan: The average operating rate fell from 89.9% in the same period last year to 61.5% in March due to poor profitability and bauxite shortages.

Shanxi: The average operating rate stood at 67.7%, and local alumina refineries were in same predicament as those in Henan.

Guizhou: The average operating rate returned to 96.5% as growing bauxite supply enabled local alumina refineries to gear up their production.

Hebei: The installed alumina capacity has reached 4.8 million mt, but the average operating rate was merely 66.2%, which was constrained by insufficient natural gas supply.

Guangxi and Shandong: The average operating rates dipped a little to 87.1% and 90.1% respectively as some newly commissioned capacity has not yet yielded output.