SHANGHAI, Nov. 8 (SMM) -- According to a recent SMM survey of 34 domestic aluminum plate, sheet, strip and foil producers with total capacity of 4.17 million mt/yr, the average operating rate was 53.59% during October, down 6.58% compared with 60.17% in September.

The survey reveals that operating rates at medium and large producers fell below 60% due to rapidly declining orders, with operating rates at large producers even slipping to 51.5%. Operating rates at small producers remained stable at 72.57%.

SMM predicts operating rates at domestic aluminum plate, sheet, strip and foil producers will be near 50% during November based on new orders.