Average Operating Rate at China’s Copper Plate/Sheet, Strip, and Foil Makers Down to 61.93% in June

SHANGHAI, Jul. 31 (SMM) – The average operating rate at copper plate/sheet, strip and foil producers fell 3.98 percentage points to 61.93% in June, the latest SMM survey reveals.

SMM surveyed 21 Chinese copper plate/sheet, strip, and foil producers, covering 1.08 million tpy in total capacity.

Climbing copper prices in the latter half of June inhibited consumption of these copper plate/sheet, strip, and foil. This weaker consumption, combined with the start of low-demand season, left some producers reporting a 30% drop in orders in June.

Brass strip, a kind copper alloy strip which takes larger market share compared with copper strip, presented underwhelming sales in the traditional boom season. In addition, many producers accepted orders from clients with timely payment records amid tight mid-year finance, also dampening production.

Operating rate at copper plate/sheet, strip, and foil producers for July is expected to fall below the 1H average of 61.25%, to 59.88%, due to depressed demand both at home and abroad.