SMM Analysis Of China LCO Production In May And Forecast For June

In May, LCO production in China was 7,590 mt, up 7% MoM and 10% YoY. From the supply side, the market diverged, with leading manufacturers serving the digital electronics market benefiting from increased downstream demand and ramping up production. However, in the e-cigarette market, demand remained weak, causing small and medium-sized manufacturers to reduce production. Some manufacturers shifted to other segments such as drones to seek orders, leading to intense price competition.

LCO production in June is expected to be 7,860 mt, up 4% MoM and 10% YoY. Although there is a certain decline in scheduled production among second and third-tier manufacturers, the high operating rate of leading manufacturers in the high-voltage market will drive the overall production upward.