[Many Galvanizing Plants Shut Down for Labour Day Holiday, Operating Rate Weakened]: The galvanizing industry's operating rate was 47.76% this week, down 13.45 percentage points WoW. Raw material side, zinc prices surged this week, and downstream purchase willingness was low, but some long-term contract deliveries arrived, and zinc ingot inventory at galvanising enterprises edged up.

The operating rates of galvanising producers this week were 61.21%, down 1.17 percentage points WoW. Raw material side, zinc prices pulled back to levels more acceptable to downstream this week. Downstream players stockpiled for the Labour Day holiday in a timely manner, and zinc ingot inventory at galvanising enterprises increased.

[Some Galvanizing Plants Started Holiday Early, Operating Rates Weakened]: The operating rates of galvanising producers this week were 61.21%, down 1.17 percentage points WoW. Raw material side, zinc prices pulled back to levels more acceptable to downstream this week. Downstream players stockpiled ahead of the Labour Day holiday in a timely manner, and zinc ingot inventory at galvanising enterprises increased.

[Stable Production Schedules at Galvanizing Plants, Operating Rates Edged Up Slightly]: The operating rates of galvanising producers stood at 62.38% this week, up 0.25 percentage points WoW. Raw material side, zinc prices fluctuated at highs throughout the week, with downstream buyers mainly restocking on rigid demand. There was no pre-holiday stockpiling sentiment for the time being, and zinc ingot inventory at galvanising enterprises declined slightly.

SMM, April 22: According to SMM, zinc slag payables have remained at elevated levels. What are the reasons behind this? How will they trend going forward?

[Environmental Protection in Northern China Affected Galvanizing Operating Rates]: This week, the operating rate of the galvanizing industry was 58.75, down 0.13 percentage points WoW. Raw material side, zinc prices fluctuated at highs this week, and galvanising enterprises mainly digested inventories, but with only small volumes of earlier price-fixed purchases and long-term contracts, zinc ingot inventories at galvanising enterprises edged down. The operating rate declined this week, mainly due to environmental protection-driven production restrictions in some northern regions, which affected operations.