This week, the operating rate of brass billet producers saw a slight increase, and it is expected to decline next week due to multiple factors.

Published: Jul 17, 2025 18:20

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SMM data shows that the operating rate of brass billet producers rose slightly by 0.83 percentage points to 49.64% this week. Due to the recent low copper prices influenced by tariffs, downstream acceptance improved, driving an increase in production. Raw material inventories fell to 4.04 days (down 0.12 days MoM), and finished product inventories dropped to 6.39 days (down 0.18 days MoM). Looking ahead to next week, SMM expects the operating rate to decline by 0.45 percentage points to 49.19%. Currently, the slight recovery in orders is mainly concentrated among large enterprises, with stronger demand for extruded billets and weaker demand for continuous cast billets. Small enterprises, which mostly produce continuous cast billets, are experiencing weaker orders. Coupled with the intensified "de-copperization" trend, the substitution of stainless steel and aluminum semis for copper billets has increased. Copper billet producers are reducing prices to boost sales, resulting in a situation of "increased production, reduced inventories, and declining profits."

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

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