[SMM News] This week, the operating rate of zinc oxide enterprises was recorded at 59.50%, down 0.57% MoM. In terms of end-use orders, orders for rubber-grade zinc oxide's terminal chemical products have been in the doldrums recently due to the impact of temperature. Meanwhile, for tire orders, the performance of orders exported to the Americas and the Middle East remains poor, while export orders in other regions are relatively normal. The overall performance of orders for ceramic-grade zinc oxide and feed-grade zinc oxide has not seen significant changes. Although some enterprises resumed normal production this week, the overall production has still declined due to the impact of environmental protection checks and weakening end-use demand in some zinc oxide plants recently. It is expected that environmental protection checks will continue to affect some enterprises next week, and the operating rate of zinc oxide enterprises may drop to 59.24%.