China’s Copper Plate Industry Ramps Up Ahead of Peak Season, Overcoming Scrap Shortages

In China, Copper plate and strip makers kicked off late-Qx on the front foot, lifting operating rates in August, thanks to surging orders from the new energy, power and high-end electronics sectors. As we head into the traditional peak season, copper plate markets balance solid demand momentum with lingering headwinds from regulation and trade barriers.

The copper plate and strip industry operating rate climbed slightly in early August. The reasons for this are as follows: the sustained strong demand in the new energy industry; the continuing improvement in demand in the power and high-end electronic industries; these two sectors collectively contributed to growth in orders for copper strip and high copper alloy plate and strip products; some enterprises adjusted their production schedules ahead of time to account for the potential peak season at the end of Qx, which...