However, the easing of Sino-US trade tensions spurred a rush in exports for end-use sectors such as home appliances and electronics, boosting production and alleviating the pressure from insufficient domestic demand. The aluminium foil industry contracted overall, with intensified cut-throat competition in processing fees. Enterprises proactively controlled their production pace to cope with the off-season, but high-end products such as battery foil remained relatively stable, supported by the production and sales of new energy vehicles.
In May, some construction extrusion enterprises in Shandong, east China, and parts of south China maintained stable production based on orders on hand, but the industry as a whole faced sluggish new order. Coupled with the continued sluggishness of real estate-related orders and the delayed transmission of the support effect from local governments, there were still doubts about the sustainability of industry demand. In the industrial materials sector, some leading PV frame manufacturers in east China reported that their production had not yet been affected by the 531 period due to their main cooperation with top-tier enterprises, and new orders for June had already been secured, providing support for production this month.
