[SMM Weekly Survey of Aluminum Downstream: Pressure on Cost Side of Aluminum Processing Industry Intensifies, Most Sectors Show Weakness in New Orders] This week, the overall off-season atmosphere in the downstream aluminum processing industry was strong, with weekly operating rates declining by 0.5 percentage points WoW to 60.4%...

[SMM Weekly Survey on Aluminum Downstream: High Aluminum Prices, Coupled with Weak Demand During Off-Season, Continue to Weigh on Weekly Operating Rate of Aluminum Processing] As June arrives, the overall off-season atmosphere in the downstream aluminum processing sector is strong, with the weekly operating rate declining by 0.4 percentage points WoW to 60.9%...

The People's Government of Mianchi County successfully signed a contract with Nanjing Bangshun Precision Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. to establish a project for the annual production of 500,000 commercial cast aluminum alloy wheel hubs in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Development Zone. The total investment in the project is 120 million yuan, covering an area of 35 mu. In collaboration with Henan Xigetenghua New Materials Co., Ltd., the products will be used in new energy vehicles such as commercial vans and buses. The project is expected to generate an annual sales revenue of 400 million yuan, with profits and taxes totaling approximately 40 million yuan.

Recently, Jianhu County held a launch event for the advancement of major industrial projects and the commencement of the Hongyan Secondary Aluminum Deep Processing Project. This project involves the establishment of a new facility capable of producing 40,000 mt of aluminum alloy parts annually for NEVs, aerospace, and PV applications, among others. Upon reaching full production capacity, the project is expected to generate over 50 million yuan in annual tax revenue and create more than 300 jobs. The project will adopt a direct aluminum liquid supply approach in collaboration with existing industrial projects such as Dongxi Engine, Lvkong, Tuoshi, and Senite Aluminum Alloy Wheel Hubs, fostering a "wall-sharing effect" in industrial development and further strengthening the "green puzzle" of Jianhu's aluminum industry chain.

Jiangsu Hongyan Technology Co., Ltd. recently commenced the construction of a secondary aluminum deep-processing project. The project will produce 40,000 mt of aluminum alloy parts for NEVs, aerospace, PV, and other applications. After the project becomes operational, it is expected to generate over 50 million yuan in annual tax revenue and create more than 300 jobs. The project will collaborate with existing industrial projects such as Dongxi Engine, Lvkong, Tuoshi, and Senite aluminum alloy wheel hubs. By adopting a direct supply method for aluminum liquid, the project aims to achieve a "wall-sharing effect" in industrial development, further strengthening the "green puzzle" of Jianhu's aluminum industry chain.

[SMM Analysis: Comparison of Aluminum Wheel Export Situation from March to April: Calm on the Surface, but Hidden Complexities?] Customs data shows that in April 2025, China exported a total of 81,400 mt of aluminum alloy wheel hubs, basically flat MoM compared to 82,000 mt in March, highlighting overall resilience, and with a significant YoY increase of 13%. The export performance of domestic aluminum wheels in April remained robust, with the better-than-expected performance attracting market attention. Since the US initiated a tariff war in early April, the aluminum wheel industry, which has accounted for over 30% of direct exports to the US in recent years, was expected to be "the first to bear the brunt," and the market's export expectations for the aluminum wheel industry were relatively pessimistic. However, the aluminum wheel export data for April appeared "calm," or even "serene," exceeding the expectations of most in the market...

[SMM Analysis: Comparison of Aluminum Wheel Export Situation from March to April: Calm on the Surface, but Hidden Complexities?]

SMM April 10 News: Green Journey, Co-creating a New Chapter in Circular Economy. In the face of global climate change and increasingly scarce resources, sustainable development has become a major challenge for the world. As a key part of the non-ferrous metal industry, the aluminum industry not only drives economic growth but also bears the historical mission of reducing environmental footprints and achieving the goals of "carbon peak" and "carbon neutrality." Against this backdrop, Shanghai and Anhui, as important provinces in east China, are gradually becoming new highlands for the development of the domestic secondary aluminum industry, leveraging their strong industrial base and forward-looking circular economy policies. Secondary aluminum, as a model for energy conservation, emission reduction, and improving resource utilization efficiency, is increasingly highlighting its strategic value. With comprehensive advantages in geographical location, resource aggregation, and policy support, Shanghai and Anhui have attracted numerous secondary aluminum enterprises, forming a complete industry chain from aluminum scrap recycling and processing to high-end aluminum alloy production. To this end, SMM organized a field trip to Shanghai and Anhui's secondary aluminum industry, aiming to gather industry elites, deeply explore the forefront of Anhui's secondary aluminum industry, and jointly discuss the green development path of the secondary aluminum industry. On April 10, SMM and the field trip members visited Anhui Lixing Aluminum Technology Co., Ltd. for exchanges. Company Profile Anhui Lixing Aluminum Technology Co., Ltd. was established on February 17, 2020, with its registered address at No. 1 Lixing Road, Wanzi District, Wuhu City, Anhui New Wuhu Economic Development Zone. Its business scope includes the manufacturing and sales of aluminum alloy rods, aluminum alloy ingots, liquid aluminum alloys, aluminum extrusions, aluminum alloy wheel hubs, and aluminum alloy die-castings, as well as related technical services and technology transfer; recycling, processing, and treatment of non-ferrous metal scrap; the company invested 800 million yuan to build a new project titled "Aerospace Aluminum Alloy New Materials, Lightweight Automotive Wheel Hub Production, and Solid Sodium Aluminate Processing Project." Upon completion, the project will produce 170,000 mt of aerospace aluminum alloy new materials, 3 million lightweight automotive wheel hubs, and 25,000 mt of aluminum ash comprehensive treatment annually. The company was established in 2020 and successively passed the necessary pre-production procedures such as energy assessment, environmental assessment, safety assessment, and trial production plan. The company entered the trial production phase on February 26, 2023. Advantage Analysis 1. Geographical (Cost) Advantage: Within a 50-kilometer radius of our company, there are multiple raw material supply points, such as Anhui Shengxin Aluminum Group Co., Ltd. and Xuancheng Huilu Aluminum Co., Ltd., allowing us to obtain raw materials at lower costs. 2. Product Variety Advantage: Our company specializes in producing 36 specifications of wrought aluminum alloy rods from the 1-series to the 7-series, as well as various standard and special grades of aluminum alloy ingots. With a rich product variety, we can meet customized customer needs and have strong risk resistance. 3. R&D Advantage: Our company has its own R&D team, with 90% of the team members holding bachelor's degrees or higher and possessing years of industry experience, enabling us to meet customer needs in a personalized manner. 4. Production Experience Advantage: Since our company started production in 2010, our production has increased from 10,000 mt/year to 140,000 mt/year. We have summarized various experiences and lessons, forming an internal production process parameter library. We adopt different production processes in different seasons to ensure product stability. Production-Related Equipment Contact: SMM Senior Manager of Non-Ferrous Metals, Shiyang Zhou Contact Information: 18121410342

【SMM Aluminum Downstream Weekly Survey: Uneven Operating Rates Downstream, Policy Disturbances Accelerate Aluminum Processing Structure Adjustment】This week, the operating rate of leading aluminum downstream processing enterprises in China increased by 0.1 percentage points WoW to 62.5%.

[SMM Weekly Survey on Aluminum Downstream] The operating rate of leading domestic aluminum downstream processing enterprises dropped back slightly by 0.8 percentage points WoW to 62.6%, ending an eight-week consecutive increase, and fell by 0.6 percentage points YoY.