Operating rates across aluminium cable, wire producers climb in Apr as demand grows

SHANGHAI, May 10 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese producers of aluminium wire and cable climbed 2 percentage points from March to stand at 42.5% in April, as warmer weather and progressing power projects drove producers in the east and north to step up production for deliveries, showed an SMM survey.

The rate stood close to 2 percentage points lower than April 2018, as the weak performance across the market in 2018 resulted in a relatively late restart of some producers this year.

With suspended producers recovering production, the average operating rate is expected to grow to 48% in May.