SHANGHAI, Jul 13 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese copper tube and pipe manufacturers continued to increase in June and stood at high levels amid a peak season for air-conditioners, SMM research found.

In June, the rate came in at 95.6%, up 1.69 percentage points month on month and 5.78 percentage points year on year.

We expect the rate to nudge up further to 95.7% in July, 6.98 percentage points higher than the same period last year.