News
Aluminum Sheet and Foil Market Maintains Stable Operation Amid Structural Demand Differentiation
2026-05-11
May 11, 2026 — The global aluminum sheet and foil market presents a differentiated operating trend in mid-May, with steady industrial demand supporting high factory operating rates, according to the latest SMM industrial monitoring data. China’s processing enterprises keep stable production momentum, and the overall operating rate of aluminum plates remains at 73%, while aluminum foil manufacturers register a rate of 74.7%.
In terms of demand, high-end aluminum products maintain robust growth. Battery aluminum foil and food packaging foil sustain firm order volumes, driven by the booming new energy and packaging industries. Aluminum sheets for automotive lightweighting and energy storage equipment also witness continuous market expansion. Nevertheless, traditional sectors face downward pressure, as air-conditioner aluminum foil stays weak due to sluggish downstream household appliance and real estate markets.
Affected by raw material cost fluctuations and regional shipping risks, processing premiums for high-grade aluminum foil keep rising, widening the profit gap between high-end and low-end aluminum flat products. Industry analysts predict that the aluminum sheet and foil sector will maintain tight supply throughout Q2. Supported by rigid downstream demand, the market is expected to operate at a high level with limited downside space for processing prices.