SMM survey of operating rate of galvanising enterprises

This week, the average operating rate of galvanising enterprises dipped 0.23 percentage point to 65.66%. Raw material inventories fell slightly as purchases under small orders decreased. Arriving shipments of zinc ingots previously purchased at low prices sufficed production.

Finished product inventories accumulated, lowering operating rates at galvanised pipe plants. Falling ferrous metals prices depressed purchasing by distributors, weakening sales. On the galvanised structural parts front, orders for galvanised steel tower plants remained stable, with UHV and wind tower orders accounting for a large share. Production of other sectors was stable, with no significant increase in orders. Operating rates at galvanising plants will stabilise next week.