SHANGHAI, Jan 16 (SMM) - The average operating rate of die-casting zinc alloy producers stood at 9.42% last week, down 19.77 percentage points on the week. The raw material inventory diminished as some still operating manufacturers consumed the raw materials for production last week. With the CNY around the corner, more large producers were closed last week for maintenance. Only the alloy production lines at smelters and some small manufacturers were still under operation. Therefore, the average operating rate dropped. The finished product inventory gained slightly as the operating producers last week mainly focused on building up their finished product stocks, since the purchase of zinc alloy for lamps, hardware and bathroom ware already concluded around the New Year's Day. It is expected that the operating rates will continue to decline this week.
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