This week, operating rates across sub-sectors of China's aluminum processing industry continued their overall weak trend. The post-Labour Day holiday effect, combined with wild swings in aluminum prices, led to varying degrees of WoW pullback in operating rates across most sectors, with the overall rate recorded at 64.2%. Specifically, aluminum plate/sheet and strip operating rate fell to 72.6%, aluminum foil edged down to 74.7%, aluminum wire and cable recorded 66.6%, primary aluminum alloy rose slightly to 58%, leading secondary aluminum enterprises dropped to 57.0%, and aluminum extrusion operating rate also slipped slightly to 56.1%. Demand side, post-holiday aluminum prices fell by 480 yuan/mt in a single day, causing some traders to incur book losses, with cargo pick-up sentiment generally subdued. Underperforming real estate terminal completions continued to drag on construction extrusions and the air-conditioner foil segment within aluminum foil. PV frame enterprises also reduced their May production schedules, and passenger NEV growth falling short of expectations placed certain constraints on primary aluminum alloy. Overall, the consumption side was gradually showing traditional off-season characteristics. Cost side, high aluminum prices suppressed downstream enterprises' willingness to stockpile, compliant aluminum scrap sources remained tight with prices staying elevated, secondary aluminum industry profits continued to be under pressure, and some enterprises had already fallen into losses. However, aluminum wire and cable export orders continued to climb, with April expected to approach historical highs. Within aluminum extrusion industrial orders, heat sinks and industrial machinery accessories performed relatively well. Within aluminum foil, demand for food packaging foil, pharmaceutical foil, and battery foil remained stable. Automotive aluminum sheets & plates orders also benefited from the YoY and MoM double growth in April passenger NEVs, maintaining a recovery trend. Overall, in the short term, the aluminum processing industry's overall operating rate still faces downward pressure. The demand off-season and cost pressure form a dual suppression, and operating rates across sectors are expected to be under pressure in May. However, strengthening export orders and structural recovery in certain industrial demand segments will provide some bottom support for the industry. Primary aluminum alloy: This week, the primary aluminum alloy operating rate was 58%, showing a slight recovery WoW, but the rebound remained limited. Structurally, aluminum consumption at some enterprises increased, driving the overall operating rate slightly higher. However, most enterprises continued to primarily execute long-term contracts as normal, with overall operations running steadily. Current aluminum prices remained at elevated levels, suppressing downstream enterprises' willingness to stockpile, with most enterprises maintaining low inventory operations. Additionally, passenger NEV growth falling short of expectations also resulted in relatively slow demand growth. Overall, the primary aluminum alloy operating rate is expected to remain at the current level next week. Aluminum plate/sheet and strip: The operating rate of leading aluminum plate/sheet and strip enterprises edged down 0.4 percentage points WoW from pre-holiday levels to 72.6% this week. On the operational front, production lines at leading aluminum plate/sheet and strip enterprises ran normally during the Labour Day holiday with a steady production pace, but initial signs of operational pressure emerged in the industry. Post-holiday, aluminum prices pulled back, with a single-day drop of 480 yuan/mt. Some traders and dealers incurred book losses after purchasing, and sentiment for picking up goods was generally low. By product, domestic end-use demand for can stock packaging remained stable; auto sheets & plates orders benefited from the recovery of passenger NEVs in April with both YoY and MoM growth, still in a recovery trend; 1-series common plates and civilian general aluminum semis saw weak orders due to delayed cargo pick-up for engineering orders and shrinking civilian demand. In the short term, constrained by factors such as wild swings in aluminum prices and pressure on common plate orders, downward pressure on the operating rate of leading aluminum plate/sheet and strip enterprises is gradually increasing in May. Aluminum wire and cable: The operating rate of China's aluminum wire and cable industry registered 66.6% this week, edging down 1 percentage point WoW from pre-holiday levels. Although top-tier enterprises still held some power grid orders, they proactively reduced production loads due to the holiday factor and order losses, resulting in a decline in capacity utilization rate. Currently, domestic power grid end-use demand still dominates consumption, but the concentrated cargo pick-up cycle has passed, providing limited support to the overall industry operating rate. In contrast, export orders for aluminum stranded wire climbed, and Q2 exports are expected to increase significantly this year. April exports are expected to approach or break historical highs, and May exports are expected to increase by 10,000-20,000 mt MoM. Export orders will provide support to industry operations. Aluminum extrusion: The operating rate of China's aluminum extrusion industry was 56.1% this week, down 0.4 percentage points WoW, showing a generally stable but weakening trend. By segment, for architectural extrusion, dragged by domestic real estate terminal completion progress falling short of expectations, engineering orders continued their weak trend this week, and demand growth in the home decoration doors and windows segment was limited, failing to provide effective support, slightly dragging down the overall operating performance of architectural extrusion. For industrial extrusion, downstream tier-one PV module enterprises' May production schedule plans contracted, and PV frame enterprises saw a decline in operating rates. Some Hebei frame enterprises chose to shut down for 5 days during the Labour Day holiday to offset order pullback and ease cost pressure, maintaining a relatively full production schedule after the holiday; some Anhui frame enterprises reported that orders on hand remained generally stable with no significant reduction, resulting in relatively limited drag on operations. Additionally, large Guangdong aluminum extrusion enterprises reported that recent orders for heat sinks, industrial machinery accessories, and other industrial extrusion products performed well, providing support to regional industrial extrusion operations. In the short term, the weakness in architectural extrusion and the structural recovery in industrial extrusion offset each other, and the aluminum extrusion operating rate is expected to show a stable and improving trend. Aluminum foil: This week, the operating rate of leading aluminum foil enterprises fell 0.3 percentage points WoW from pre-holiday levels to 74.7%. Order side, demand for food packaging foil, pharmaceutical foil, and battery foil remained stable, supporting the baseline operating rate. Air-conditioner foil was under pressure, with May orders on hand declining MoM, as demand was dragged down by factors including a sluggish real estate market, tapering of national subsidies, high inventories outside China, and capacity relocation. Both domestic sales and export schedules declined, and weak end-use demand is expected to pull down the overall aluminum foil operating rate. In the short term, demand for packaging foil and battery foil can still support the aluminum foil operating rate at a relatively high level, but the deep weakness in air-conditioner foil will set the stage for an overall pullback in the aluminum foil industry's operating rate in May. Secondary aluminum: This week, the operating rate of leading secondary aluminum enterprises in China fell 0.7 percentage points WoW to 57.0%. During the holiday, sampled major plants maintained normal production, but affected by some downstream enterprises being on holiday and declining orders, enterprises compressed their production pace, and operating levels pulled back slightly. Currently, both demand and raw materials exerted dual pressure on production: on one hand, May gradually entered the traditional consumption off-season, downstream procurement became more cautious, market transaction activity continued to decline, and manufacturers' order performance was poor; on the other hand, finished alloy ingot prices fell more than raw material prices, compliant aluminum scrap sources remained tight with prices fluctuating at highs, industry profits continued to narrow, and some enterprises even fell into losses, with operating rates passively under pressure. After the holiday effect fades next week, the operating rate is expected to recover slightly, but the demand off-season and cost pressure are unlikely to improve significantly in the short term, and the industry's overall operating rate still faces downward expectations. [Data source statement: Data other than public information is derived from public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, processed by SMM for reference only and does not constitute decision-making advice.]

This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China was flat MoM at 64.7%. such as can stock, energy storage, and automobiles. However, aluminum prices fluctuated at highs, exports to the Middle East were impeded, and some end-use consumption recovered less than expected, limiting upside room for the operating rate. The industry exhibited the characteristics of “steady with progress and structural divergence.”

This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China rebounded 1.1 percentage points MoM to 64%.

[Weekly Operating Rates in the Aluminum Processing Industry: China's Aluminum Processing Sector Sees Modest Growth Amid Peak Season Demand] This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China edged up 1 percentage point WoW to 62.9%.

[SMM Weekly Survey of the Aluminum Downstream Sector: Downstream Aluminum Operating Rate Continued to Rebound to 61.9%, with High Prices Suppressing the Peak "Golden March" Season] This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China rose 2.4 percentage points MoM to 61.9%, overall extending the post-holiday recovery trend, with all segments rebounding MoM, and the industry as a whole entering a normal production pace.

In 2024, the usage of industrial aluminum extrusion in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, marine, high-end equipment, and 3C continued to grow. Simultaneously, the Chinese industrial aluminum extrusion market faced numerous challenges, including cut-throat competition, the emergence of new alternative materials, high and volatile raw material prices, technological bottlenecks, international trade frictions, and the cancellation of export tax rebates. Consequently, in 2025, the primary issue aluminum extrusion enterprises must confront remains how to survive. This necessitates a comprehensive and profound understanding of the industry's current state both domestically and globally, enabling better formulation of corporate strategies to address the increasingly severe industry challenges. However, colleagues in the aluminum extrusion industry must also recognize that challenges bring opportunities. For instance, the "low-altitude economy" actively guided at the national level has introduced new application scenarios for the aluminum extrusion industry. In the NEV sector, annual sales in 2024 are expected to exceed 12 million units, with the average aluminum usage per vehicle also rising. The proportion of aluminum extrusion in sub-sectors such as electric drive housings and threshold beams is also increasing. To cope with the increasingly frequent international trade frictions, many aluminum enterprises and end-users have chosen to expand overseas, investing in factories in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Eastern Europe, and even Africa. Therefore, SMM is preparing to screen enterprises, conducting a survey of industrial aluminum extrusion producers nationwide, and organizing the selection of the top 20 high-quality suppliers of industrial aluminum extrusion in the country, selecting benchmark enterprises. On the other hand, SMM focuses on the direction of industrial development, collaborating with major associations and institutions across the industry chain to jointly create the 2025 Global Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Procurement Guide , aiming to provide aluminum procurement professionals with an authoritative, comprehensive, professional, and market-compliant directory of industrial aluminum extrusion suppliers. This guide serves as a bridge between procurement professionals and aluminum extrusion producers, collectively promoting the industrial aluminum extrusion industry to better meet the challenges of the new era. Therefore, enterprises in the industrial aluminum extrusion sector can submit audit materials as required, summarizing actual production data up to the end of 2024, and apply for inclusion in the procurement guide. After annotation and layout, the materials will be submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China for review and approval, obtaining the approval drawing number , and then printed and distributed to upstream and downstream industry clients. Additionally, qualified industrial aluminum extrusion producers, related high-quality suppliers, and equipment service providers in the industry chain are invited to participate in the joint creation of the procurement guide, collectively contributing to the healthy and rapid transformation and upgrading of the industrial aluminum extrusion industry. After conducting surveys among frontline aluminum extrusion producers and equipment manufacturers, SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) proudly presents the "2025 Global Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Procurement Guide." This time, Anhui Bolan New Material Technology Co., Ltd. will collaborate with SMM to jointly produce this procurement map, collectively analyzing market trends and exploring the future of the industry! Anhui Bolan New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a new-type circular economy enterprise invested and established by Tonglu Bowang Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of secondary aluminum products. The company is located in Anhui province, covering an area of 110 mu, and will be constructed in two phases. Phase I covers 62 mu, with a total construction area of 40,000 m². The total planned investment is 300 million yuan. Construction officially commenced in September 2024 and is expected to be completed and put into operation by May 2025. As an innovative force in the secondary aluminum industry, the company has established a complete green production system. Leveraging core equipment such as domestically leading 100T double-chamber melting furnaces, 35-ton tilting refining furnaces, and internal-guide hydraulic casting machines, the company has formed an annual production capacity of 100,000 mt of secondary aluminum billets and aluminum ingots. The production line adopts an intelligent "1+1+3" configuration model, where one 100T circular double-chamber melting furnace, one 60T circular melting furnace, and three 35T circular tilting alloy furnaces operate collaboratively to achieve efficient recycling of aluminum scrap resources. Through the independently innovative "crushing-deironing-sorting" pretreatment process, the company strictly controls the raw material particle size to ≤200*150mm, ensuring 100% clean production of commercially purchased aluminum scrap. The company consistently practices the concept of sustainable development, driving industrial upgrading through technology. By introducing advanced equipment such as the domestically pioneering secondary aluminum circular double-chamber furnace group, the company has established a closed-loop industry chain spanning from aluminum scrap recycling to high-end aluminum material manufacturing. Upon project completion, it is expected to achieve an annual sales revenue of 2 billion yuan, with annual tax payments exceeding 150 million yuan, and provide over 200 job opportunities, effectively promoting the green transformation of the regional economy. Adhering to the mission of "empowering aluminum processing," Anhui Bolan will continue to promote the deep integration of process innovation and intelligent manufacturing, striving to become a benchmark in the secondary aluminum industry with a craftsman's spirit of excellence, injecting new momentum into the low-carbon development of China's aluminum industry. Main Products 6063, 6061, 6005 aluminum billets, as well as 3-series and 5-series alloy aluminum billets. The company also accepts commissioned processing of various grades of alloy aluminum billets and aluminum plate ingots. Slogan Achieve Excellence in Management, Build a First-Class Enterprise, and Create a Renowned Brand Production Equipment Contact Information No. 20, Xingtong Road, Economic Development Zone, Wuhe County, Bengbu City, Anhui Province Chen Jinhui: 18650063711 Chen Xingmao: 183 5812 8555 Joint Production Contact Sun Lingchen Mobile: 15166852590 Landline: 0535-51595891 Email: sunlingchen@smm.cn

In 2024, China's industrial aluminum extrusion sector witnessed sustained growth in applications across NEVs (with projected sales exceeding 12 million units), aerospace, and low-altitude economy. However, the industry faced multiple challenges including persistently high and volatile raw material prices, technological bottlenecks, international trade frictions, and the cancellation of export tax rebates. By 2025, the aluminum extrusion industry is embracing three major growth opportunities: the state-promoted "low-altitude economy" creating new application scenarios; the continued expansion of NEVs (2024 sales estimated over 12 million units) driving surging demand for aluminum components like motor housings and sill beams; and the accelerated relocation of the industry chain to overseas markets such as Southeast Asia and Mexico to circumvent trade barriers. These trends are reshaping the industry's growth landscape. Accordingly, SMM focuses on industrial development directions while collaborating with major associations and institutions across the industry chain to jointly launch the "2025 Global Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Procurement Guide." This time, Yuantai (Shanxi) Co., Ltd. will partner with SMM to co-produce this procurement map, jointly analyzing market trends and exploring the industry's future! Yuantai (Shanxi) Co., Ltd. , established in November 2020 as a foreign-invested enterprise with registered capital of $21.07 million and total investment of $50 million. Located in Xing County Economic Development Zone, Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, the company leverages Chalco Huarun Aluminum's 99.85% high-grade liquid aluminum. It emphasizes R&D of new aluminum alloy materials and processes while providing technical services like failure analysis for customers. The company's professional R&D team utilizes advanced platforms including melting/casting units, refining/purification systems, and homogenization heat treatment furnaces to optimize designs, adjust alloy chemical compositions, and develop new production technologies. This enables timely delivery of premium aluminum alloy casting ingots, better serving market demands and supplying high-quality materials for 3C electronics, aerospace, 5G communications, and NEV sectors. Adhering to the philosophy of "technology creates value, integrity builds brands," the company closely monitors cutting-edge aluminum alloy technologies. It aims to break through fundamental metallurgical quality challenges in high-end casting ingots and industrialize key technologies, enhancing innovation and supply capabilities for advanced civil aluminum alloys to achieve rapid yet steady development. The company's main products include high-quality 2-series, 3-series, 4-series, 5-series, 6-series, and 7-series aluminum alloy cast bars, along with 2-series, 4-series, and 7-series aluminum alloy slab ingots. Slogan Technology Creates Value, Integrity Builds Brand Quality is Life, Service with Utmost Sincerity Contact Information Xingxian Economic and Technological Development Zone, Lvliang City, Shanxi Province Liao Chungui: 13771974218 Co-production Contact Person Zhou Shiyang Mobile: 17278238856 (same as WeChat ID) Email: zhoushiyang@smm.cn

In 2024, the application of China's industrial aluminum extrusion in new energy vehicles (NEVs) (with sales expected to exceed 12 million units), aerospace, low-altitude economy, and other fields continued to grow. However, the industry also faced multiple challenges, including high and frequently fluctuating raw material prices, technological bottlenecks, international trade frictions, and the cancellation of export tax rebates. In 2025, the current aluminum extrusion industry is set to embrace three major growth opportunities: the "low-altitude economy" promoted by the state is opening up new application scenarios; the continuous increase in NEV sales (expected to exceed 12 million units in 2024) is driving a surge in demand for aluminum used in components such as electric drive casings and sill beams; and to circumvent trade barriers, the industry chain is accelerating its overseas layout in markets such as Southeast Asia and Mexico. These trends are reshaping the industry's growth landscape. To this end, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is focusing on the industry's development direction and, in collaboration with major industry associations and institutions across the industry chain, is jointly launching the "2025 Global Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Procurement Guide" for the aluminum semis industry chain. This time, Guangdong GoldEx Light Alloy Co., Ltd. will collaborate with SMM to jointly produce this procurement map, collectively gauging market trends and exploring the industry's future! Guangdong GoldEx Light Alloy Co., Ltd. Founded in 2010 and located in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, it is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of industrial aluminum semis. The company is equipped with aluminum alloy production equipment for melting and casting, direct extrusion, indirect extrusion, drawing, heat treatment, precision machining, and more. Main Products and Applications Our company mainly produces aluminum alloy seamless pipes, precision-drawn rods, industrial aluminum extrusions, aluminum bars, and other materials. Our products cover mainstream aluminum alloy grades in the market from the 1000-series to the 7000-series, such as 1,060/2011/2017/3,003/5,052/5,056/6,101/6,013/6,061/6,063/6,082/7,003/7,050/7,075, etc. High-precision seamless pipes and aluminum billets for automotive lens ADAS; seamless and welded pipes for shock absorber bushings; highly conductive 1-series and 6-series aluminum billets; 3-series battery aluminum materials; seamless pipes for motorcycle inverted forks; high-end 2-series/5-series/6-series seamless pipes and precision-drawn rods for optical lenses/Industry 4.0, as well as various industrial aluminum extrusions. Slogan Dedicated to high-quality seamless aluminum pipes, precision-drawn rods, aluminum bars, and other high-precision extrusions Contact Information Guangmei Industrial Park, Zhongfu Road, Zhongxin Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City General Manager - Mr. Pan: 15626069726 (same as WeChat) Email: sales@gealu.com.cn Website: www.gealu.com.cn Co-Producer Contact Lou Kexin Mobile: 19068019380 (same as WeChat) Email: loukexin@smm.cn

So, what was the actual situation of domestic aluminum ingot arrivals during the Labour Day holiday? According to SMM's latest statistics, the actual arrivals in the three regions during the holiday were approximately 56,000 mt, about 16,000 mt less than pre-holiday expectations and about 6,000 mt less than the same period last year. Specifically, the actual arrivals in Wuxi were 18,000 mt, in Foshan were 18,000 mt, and in Gongyi were approximately 20,000 mt, all lower than expected.

Despite the projections based on in-transit data and feedback from multiple sources before the Labour Day holiday that domestic aluminum product arrivals during this year's Labour Day holiday would likely exceed those of the same period last year, attention should be paid to the risk of periodic inventory buildup caused by concentrated arrivals during the holiday. Looking back at the pre-holiday expectations, the Gongyi and Foshan regions were expected to face relatively severe pressure from concentrated arrivals after the holiday, while the Wuxi region would experience relatively milder pressure. So, what was the actual situation of domestic aluminum ingot arrivals during the Labour Day holiday? According to the latest statistics from SMM, the actual arrivals in the three regions during the Labour Day holiday amounted to approximately...