China’s February prebake anode operating rates down 0.99 percentage point MoM; decline to extend in March

Shanghai Metals Market anticipates that operating rates across prebaked anode producers may continue to decline in March as sluggish prices in the market will prevent some plants from recovering after the winter heating season.

As of the middle of March, downstream consumption remained poor while primary aluminium plants continued to cut capacity in February. Cash flow issues and aluminium smelters’ demand for high-quality products are some of the other factors that can affect prebaked anode producers operations in March, found SMM.

The research data of SMM showed that operating rates across China’s prebaked anode producers had averaged at 57.97 per cent in February, down 0.99 percentage point from January.

A falling market and production cuts were some of the reasons behind lowered operating rates across prebaked anode producers in February. The decline rate, however, was slower in compare with January as environmental impact eased, learned SMM.

The Chinese New Year holiday had been another factor for lowered operating rates as most prebaked anode producer maintained regular operation during CNY.

Operating rates across medium-sized plants stood at 61.17 per cent in February, down 1.17 percentage point month-on-month. Rates at small producers averaged 32.36 per cent, down 5.39 percentage points while large producers operated at a rate of 59.6% last month, flat from January.