Improved orders grow Oct operating rates at zinc alloy producers

SHANGHAI, Nov 15 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese manufacturers of zinc alloy and die-castings came in at 48.3% in October, up 0.15 percentage point from September but down 4.7 percentage points from a year earlier, SMM data showed.

Despite the poorer performance from a year ago, orders improved from September in a traditional high season, and this prompted zinc alloy producers to step up operation last month. Demand across the zip, toy and hardware sectors grew last month, boosted by the Singles Day shopping festival, while demand across the bathroom accessories, automobile accessories and motorcycle accessories sectors remained sluggish.

Zinc alloy and die-casting producers gave their workers up to seven days off during the National day holiday and this capped gains in the average operating rate.

The average operating rate across Chinese manufacturers of zinc alloy and die-castings is likely to increase by 0.4 percentage point to 48.7% in November, 9.8 percentage points lower than November 2017, without the impact from public holidays and as demand holds steady.