Small aluminium extrusion makers shut after solar policy shift

SHANGHAI, Aug 10 (SMM) – Many small-sized aluminium extrusion plants in Jiangyin city, Jiangsu province suspended their operations from mid-July due to a lack of orders after the Chinese government cut solar subsidies at the end of May, SMM learned.

High temperature was another reason for these plants to temporarily cease operations.

Industrial extrusions are the main products of small aluminium extrusion plants in east China, with those for the solar industry accounting for the majority.

SMM forecasts this year’s demand for aluminium extrusions in the solar sector to shrink 36% from last year to 937,000 mt, and the majority of the cuts would be in the second half of this year.