At end-July, zinc calcine TCs declined, with tight raw material supply and elevated procurement costs, combined with production cuts at some enterprises, putting market prices under pressure. Entering August, the tightness on the raw material side persists, but with weakening demand and profit constraints on enterprises, the room for further decline in TCs may be relatively limited.

[Zinc Oxide Operating Rates Decline, Market Demand Weak] This week, the decline in operating rates of zinc oxide enterprises was mainly due to enterprises that planned to resume production soon still commissioning their equipment, while some enterprises in the market suspended production because of the demand impact. End-use demand, downstream sectors' demand continued to be weak overall this week......

[Some Enterprises Cut Production and Underwent Maintenance; Zinc Oxide Operating Rate Saw a Pronounced Decline] This week, the decline in operating rate was mainly because recently some enterprises, affected by weak end-use demand, had production cuts and maintenance shutdowns. End-use consumption, the industry has fully entered the traditional consumption off-season, and orders in all downstream application fields were sluggish...

【SMM Flash News】SMM data shows the operating rate of zinc oxide this week came in at 50.58%, falling 3.94 percentage points week-on-week. The lower operating rate was mainly because some enterprises reduced output or suspended production for maintenance amid weak end-user demand recently.

2026 marks the opening year of the “15th Five-Year Plan”. Against the backdrop of intensifying global macro volatility and the deepening advancement of high-quality development in China, the zinc industry is undergoing profound transformation: tightness at the ore end and the release of smelting capacity are creating structural tension; divergence between domestic and overseas inventory reflects the complex dynamics of supply and demand rebalancing; and technological innovation is becoming the key momentum to resolve contradictions and reshape the landscape. Key “15th Five-Year Plan” sectors such as new energy and new-type infrastructure are injecting fresh momentum into traditional zinc consumption, while green, low-carbon development and the circular economy are also accelerating the reshaping of industrial logic under the drive of technological innovation. With the joint support of upstream and downstream enterprises in the zinc industry, industry associations, and other relevant parties, SMM the 2026 SMM Zinc Industry Conference and the 8th Hot-Dip Galvanizing Industry Development and Technological Innovation Forum, and the 14th Zinc Salts, Zinc Oxide and Secondary Zinc Resources Development Forum, and the Casting Zinc Alloy Development Forum are about to be held in Qingdao, Shandong, from August 6 to 8. Under the theme “Harness Zinc Momentum · Build the Zinc Industry · Embark on a New Journey”, the conference will be driven by a dual engine of macro perspective and fundamentals analysis, closely aligned with the main line of high-quality development under the “15th Five-Year Plan”. It will focus on four key dimensions—macro policy, the supply-demand pattern, global trade, and technological innovation—leveraging technological breakthroughs to drive cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and using collaborative innovation to address market fluctuations, jointly charting a new blueprint for high-quality and sustainable development of the zinc industry.‌ Jiangsu Myande Energy-Saving Evaporation Equipment Co., Ltd. will make a distinguished appearance at this grand event, joining industry peers to discuss industry development trends and work together to propel the zinc industry to new heights. Click to register for the conference now, and jointly witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, creating a brilliant new chapter together! System Solution for Resource Utilization of High-Salinity Wastewater in the Metallurgical Industry From “High-Salinity Burden” to “Resource Gains”—Empowering Green and Intelligent Manufacturing in Zinc Smelting I. Wastewater Treatment Challenges in the Secondary Zinc Industry A large volume of high-salinity wastewater is generated during zinc recovery from zinc-containing scrap, requiring compliant environmental protection treatment with stringent standards. This results in both high investment in environmental protection equipment and high subsequent operating costs, compressing enterprise profit margins. Moreover, secondary waste is generated after environmental protection disposal, adding disposal costs and making it difficult for enterprises to continue bearing the burden. II. Root Causes of Wastewater Treatment In the zinc recovery process for zinc-containing scrap, low-grade zinc oxide must be rinsed to remove chlorides and other impurities in the raw material to avoid affecting the purity of zinc products. In addition to sodium chloride and potassium chloride, the rinsing wastewater also contains sulphate radicals, fluoride, COD, and many other components. Its composition is complex and fluctuates significantly, making wastewater treatment highly challenging. III. Three Core Processes, One-Stop Breakthrough 1. Deep pre-treatment—precisely removes fluorides, heavy metals, and organic matter, ensuring long-term stable operation of the system 2. Evaporation Concentration + Fractional Crystallization—Recovering High-Purity Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride, Achieving Salt Resource Recovery 3. Evaporative Condensate Reuse in Production Processes—Self-Circulation of Process Water, Achieving True "Zero Discharge" 4. Dual Benefits Empowering Enterprises Turning high-salinity wastewater into a valuable resource, while achieving environmentally compliant disposal, recovering salt resources, with revenue covering operating costs, shortening the payback period, and enhancing overall economic benefits. Contact Person Zhu Manager 15161877256 Wu Manager 15952706514 Tel: 0514-87843988 Email: zzj@myande.com Website: evap.myande.com Address: No. 199 Ji’an South Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province Product Inquiry QR Code Evaporation Official Website QR Code Official Website QR Code Official WeChat QR Code Long-Press to Scan to Register Now 2026 SMM Zinc Industry Conference

【SMM Flash News】It is learned that demand across all end segments of the zinc oxide market is showing obvious off-season characteristics recently. Some manufacturers have cut production or suspended operations for maintenance. Affected by the above factors, the operating rate of zinc oxide this week fell by 3.94 percentage points month-on-month.

【SMM Flash】It is learned that automobile consumption enters the off-season in July. Tire manufacturers are saddled with high inventory levels, leading to weakened demand for rubber-grade zinc oxide, which has dragged down the operating rates of some zinc oxide producers.

[End-use demand weakens, zinc oxide operating rates continue to decline] Stepping into the traditional off-season, the purchasing strength from downstream tyre factories for rubber-grade zinc oxide is weak, with limited order releases. The supporting demand in the ceramics and electronics industries weakened synchronously. Demand in the feed sector has not improved, and transactions remain mediocre......

SMM, July 23: To deepen exchanges within the lead and zinc industry, facilitate information channels, and accurately capture zinc industry development trends and market movements, on July 22, a team from SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), including copper-lead-zinc senior analyst Geng Zhiyao and zinc senior analyst Li Hanyu, visited Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. for an exchange meeting and were warmly received by relevant company leaders. During the meeting, relevant personnel from Luoping Zinc & Electricity introduced the company's operational status, industry chain layout, and medium and long-term strategic plans to the SMM team. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including domestic zinc raw material supply, smelting cost changes, zinc product market trends, downstream demand trajectories, comprehensive recovery of associated rare and precious metals, and the development direction of green smelting. Leveraging SMM's industry database, SMM analysts shared supply-demand analyses for the zinc market, price dynamics, and potential industry opportunities, and exchanged views with the company on challenges in industrial development. Luoping Zinc & Electricity, drawing on its own strengths in hydropower integration, mine resources, and integrated smelting and deep processing, outlined its advancement approaches in resource expansion, technological R&D, and extension into new materials. This visit established a bridge for industry information sharing. In the future, both parties will maintain regular communication and exchanges, continuously collaborate to explore paths of industrial synergy, and jointly promote the steady and high-quality development of the zinc industry. About Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. was established in 2000 and listed on the main board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2007 (stock code 002114). Its largest shareholder is Qujing Development and Investment Group, holding a 22.3960% stake, and the actual controller is the Qujing Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Key Assets: It encompasses three core resource sectors: minerals, hydropower, and zinc smelting, housing production units such as the Fule Lead-Zinc Mine, Lazhuang Power Plant, zinc smelter, comprehensive utilization plant, and ultrafine zinc powder plant. The company boasts an integrated capacity of processing 100,000 mt of raw ore annually, producing 120,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, 140,000 mt of sulphuric acid, 12,000 mt of ultrafine zinc powder, and generating 250 million kWh of electricity per year, with an annual output value exceeding 2 billion yuan. This forms a complete industry chain of "power generation — mining — smelting — rare and precious metals recovery — new materials." Coupled with its self-contained hydropower energy loop, this creates a unique core competitive advantage, positioning the company as a leader in the non-ferrous metal smelting sector in Southwest China. Main Businesses: Hydropower generation, mining of non-ferrous metals such as lead and zinc, zinc smelting, and production and sale of extended products. The products include zinc sulfide concentrates, lead concentrates, zinc ingot, industrial sulphuric acid, cadmium, ultrafine zinc powder, germanium concentrates, silver concentrates, copper concentrates, zinc alloy, industrial and residential electricity, and edible rapeseed oil. The company has successively received honors such as “Contract-honoring and Credit-worthy Enterprise” at provincial and municipal levels, “Key Industrial Enterprise of Qujing City”, National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise, High-tech Enterprise, and National Laboratory Accreditation Certificate. Strategic Development: In terms of hydropower resource development, first, it invested in and participated in the construction of the Luoping County Laodukou Hydropower Station with an installed capacity of 37,500 kW, holding 37% equity; second, it invested in and participated in the construction of the Laojiāngdǐ Hydropower Station in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, with an installed capacity of 100,000 kW, holding 33% equity. In terms of lead-zinc mine development, first, it invested in and participated in the development of the Jinsha Lead-zinc Mine in Yongshan County, holding 23.2% equity. Second, through a private placement of shares, it completed the overall acquisition of Puding County Xiangrong Mining, Derong Mining, and Hongtai Mining Co., Ltd. under Guizhou Fanhua Mining Group Co., Ltd., gaining control of the mine assets held by the three companies. In terms of business development, first, it acquired the sulphuric acid plant of the former Luoping County Zinc Electric Company. Second, it built a rapeseed oil production line with a capacity of 10,000 mt per year. Third, it established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Yunnan Luoping Zinc Electric New Materials Co., Ltd., to extend the industry chain through zinc alloy products. Technological Innovation: The company holds 78 patents. Among them, the comprehensive treatment and recovery of valuable metals from high-iron, low-germanium zinc oxide calcine and zinc sulfite is at an industry-leading level. SMM Contact: Geng Zhiyao Tel: 13818541149

2026 marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Against a backdrop of intensifying global macro volatility and China's deepening push for high-quality development, the zinc industry is undergoing profound transformation: ore-side tightness and the release of smelting capacity are creating structural tensions, while the divergence between domestic and overseas inventories reflects the complex dynamics of supply-demand rebalancing. Technological innovation is becoming a key driver to resolve contradictions and reshape the landscape. New energy, new-type infrastructure, and other priority areas under the 15th Five-Year Plan are injecting new momentum into traditional zinc consumption, while green, low-carbon, and circular economy models are accelerating the restructuring of industrial logic, propelled by technological innovation. With the joint support of upstream and downstream enterprises, industry associations, and relevant parties, SMM 2026 SMM Zinc Industry Conference & the 8th Hot-Dip Galvanizing Industry Development and Technology Innovation Forum & the 14th Zinc Salts, Zinc Oxide and Zinc Secondary Resources Development Forum & Cast Zinc Alloy Development Forum will be held on August 6–8 in Qingdao, Shandong. Under the theme “Harnessing Zinc Momentum · Building Zinc Industry · Embarking on a New Journey,” the conference will be driven by macro perspectives and fundamental analysis as dual engines, closely following the main theme of high-quality development under the 15th Five-Year Plan. It will focus on four dimensions—macro policies, supply-demand patterns, global trade, and technological innovation—leveraging technological breakthroughs to drive cost reduction and efficiency improvement, addressing market fluctuations through collaborative innovation, and jointly drawing a new blueprint for the high-quality and sustainable development of the zinc industry.‌ Jiangsu Runtong Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. will attend this grand event with distinction, discussing industry development trends with peers and jointly pushing the zinc industry to new heights. Click the to register now, witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, and together create a brilliant new chapter! Jiangsu Runtong Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of zinc oxide. The company boasts strong technical strength, complete production equipment, advanced production processes, and perfect testing methods, ensuring superior product quality. Its main products include calcined zinc oxide, direct-process zinc oxide, activated zinc oxide, and indirect-process zinc oxide. The raw materials used are zinc slag, zinc dross, low-grade zinc oxide, and zinc ash (furnace ash, malleable iron ash, small parts ash, etc.). The company’s annual production includes 20,000 mt of indirect-process zinc oxide, 15,000 mt of direct-process zinc oxide, and 30,000 mt of calcined zinc oxide, all produced using advanced domestic processes. All quality indicators meet or exceed national standards. The products feature pure white color and good dispersibility, making them suitable for the rubber, magnetic materials, and ceramics industries, and are widely praised by customers. The company strictly abides by integrity, adhering to the corporate philosophy of “Integrity in Conduct, Dedication in Action, and Heart in Zinc Making,” and the business approach of “Sincere Cooperation, Mutual Benefit and Win-Win,” to establish extensive friendships with industry peers worldwide. Contact Person Mr. Xu, 136-4155-2068 No. 209, Zhongxing Road, Daduo Town, Xinghua City, Jiangsu Province Long press to scan the QR code and register now 2026 SMM Zinc Industry Conference