Spot silicon metal prices gradually stopped falling in early April, and moved sideways by early May amid a standoff between upstream and downstream.

According to SMM data, the comprehensive PMI index of the domestic aluminum processing industry recorded 29.1% in February 2024, still below 50% and with a large decline.

SHANGHAI, February 28 (SMM) –Last week, the operating rate of leading domestic aluminum downstream processing companies rebounded by 4.2 percentage points from pre-holiday to 55.5%.

SHANGHAI, Oct 10 (SMM) – In September 2023, China's aluminium processing industry's composite PMI rose by 4.5% to 56.1%, marking the fourth consecutive month above the threshold of expansion, according to data from SMM.

SHANGHAI, Sep 6 (SMM) –According to SMM data, the comprehensive PMI index of the domestic aluminium processing industry in August 2023 fell by 1.5 percentage points MoM to 51.6%, and stayed above 50% for three consecutive months.

SHANGHAI, Jun 6 (SMM) – Primary aluminium alloy: The PMI for the sector rose 3.8 points MoM to 44 in May.

SHANGHAI, May 16 (SMM) - In April, the operating rates in primary aluminium alloy industry averaged 43.29%, up 2.18 percentage points YoY, but down 0.37 percentage point MoM.

As of May 12, prices of standard #553 silicon metal were 14,500-14,800 yuan/mt in east China, down 300 yuan/mt or 3% from a week earlier, prices of above-standard #553 silicon metal stood at 14,700-15,000 yuan/mt, down 350 yuan/mt or 3%, prices of #421 silicon metal were 16,200-16,500 yuan/mt, a drop of 150 yuan/mt or 1%. Silicon metal prices weakened again this week. Even as the lower operating rates of some silicon metal companies reduced the supply slightly, sluggish consumption from aluminium alloys, silicone and exports, coupled with the high inventories, continued to weigh on silicon metal prices.

Operating rates at primary aluminium alloy producers stood at 43.3% in April, down 0.4 percentage point from the previous month. Operating rates at secondary aluminium alloy plants fell 3 percentage points on the month to 56.1%.

SHANGHAI, Apr 25 (SMM) – The average operating rate across major aluminium processing enterprises was flat from a week ago at 65.3% last week, but slipped 0.8 percentage point year on year.