SMM

The operating rates of brass billet producers averaged 69.25% in May, down 0.6 percentage point month on month but up 10.12 percentage points year on year, SMM survey showed. Orders at large plants were relatively brisk in May, while those at most small and medium-sized enterprises were poor amid weak demand. The operating rates of copper billet producers increased from 59.13% in the same period of 2022, but were still lower than 73.94% in the same period of 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19.