More working days in Nov grow operating rates at secondary aluminium producers

SHANGHAI, Dec 12 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese secondary aluminium producers averaged 57.14% in November, up 0.33 percentage point from October but down 4.28 percentage points from a year earlier, SMM data showed.

More working days in November grew output and raised operating rates marginally on the month.

Stocks of finished goods across most secondary aluminium producers remained normal while stocks at some jumped due to poor orders.

In November, most large producers with export businesses stepped up export orders given greater profits, faster cash recovery and stable raw material supplies. Some plants in Zhejiang and Guangdong planned to begin export businesses that used foreign raw materials, SMM learned.

According to SMM research as of December 10, most secondary aluminium producers do not expect output growth in December. High stocks of finished goods might prompt some producers to cut output. SMM expects the operating rates across Chinese secondary aluminium producers to dip in December.