Aluminum prices have been high for more than two weeks. How is the operating rate of aluminum extrusion industry?

According to SMM survey data, aluminum prices broke through 20,000 yuan/mt mark after the Qingming Festival. Downstream customers were cautious about placing orders. Aluminum extrusion companies reported a decrease in orders, and the operating rate continued to decline, falling by 1.80 percentage points to 56.80%.
In the construction aluminum extrusion sector, the orders in south China were moderate, but extrusion factories in east China reported lower order volume and operating rate due to the high aluminum prices and declining demand. Some small aluminum extrusion factories in Jiangyin significantly reduced production or closed for holidays. Engineering project orders decreased. Some aluminum extrusion factories said that terminal companies postponed order pick-up due to delayed construction. In the industrial aluminum extrusion sector. The demand for automotive aluminium extrusion have not yet picked up. OEMs mainly digested inventory. The photovoltaic downstream enterprises stood on the sidelines and reduced procurement volume, affecting orders from suppliers and operating rates.
Overall, end-users were cautious about placing orders amid high aluminum prices. However, as order delivery in real estate and modules is approaching, buyers still restocked mostly as needed.