August Tinplate Market Report from RIC PACKAGE
Dear friend, the following is our monthly market report update, for your reference.
Theme: Tinplate market remains weak and stable, HRC prices under pressure, tin price rise provides cost support.
1. Tinplate Prices
- Baosteel, WISCO, Meisteel keep basis prices for tinplate and electrolytic chromium-coated steel unchanged.
- Most private mills and spot markets had already cut prices by 50–100 RMB/ton in the earlier period.
Entering August, the domestic tinplate market continues its weak adjustment. HRC prices fluctuate downward, market inventories keep increasing, and downstream demand remains weak.
At the same time, tin ingot prices have risen, providing some cost support for tinplate.
Under the dual play between cost and demand, tinplate prices are expected to remain weak and stable with narrow fluctuations in the short term.
2. HRC Prices Under Pressure, Inventories Keep Rising
As of August 7, the average price of 4.75mm HRC in 24 major markets nationwide was 3,261 RMB/t, down 12 RMB/t from July 31.
Hot-rolled social inventories in 55 major markets reached 4.8159 million tonnes, up 60,000 tonnes week-on-week and up 1.0826 million tonnes year-on-year. The continued inventory build-up reflects persistently weak market demand.
Downstream machinery, steel structures, pipe materials and other sectors, affected by hot weather, mainly purchase on a just-in-time basis, with little initiative to replenish stocks.
3. Tin Ingot Rises, Continuing to Support Tinplate Costs
In early August, HRC raw material prices declined, but tin ingot prices rose notably.
As of August 7, spot tin price in Shanghai was about 434,000 RMB/t, weekly average about 430,150 RMB/t, up 11,100 RMB/t week-on-week.
In July, the production cost of tinplate was about 5,878 RMB/t, with average gross margin still at -93 RMB/t, indicating overall low profitability for enterprises.
Therefore, the current tinplate market shows:
- Weaker HRC → cost pressure somewhat eased
- Rising tin prices → increased tinplating costs
- Low enterprise profits → limited downside room for prices
3.1 Although HRC prices have declined, tinplate enterprises still face profit pressure.
4. Supply Steady, Demand Still Weak
In July 2026, the tinplate operating rate was about 83%, capacity utilization 71.63%, output reached 502,200 tonnes, up 8,000 tonnes month-on-month; plant inventories reached 228,100 tonnes.
Supply side remained generally stable, but inventories increased. Demand side still mainly just-in-time procurement; market transaction performance was moderate, and traders and end customers remained cautious about the outlook.
5. Overall Tinplate Prices Weak
In early August, the tinplate market continued its weak adjustment, with prices falling in some regional markets, while major steel mills’ policies remained largely stable.
Given weak demand, rising inventories, and diverging raw material prices, market transactions remain mainly just-in-time; short-term prices lack clear upward momentum.
6. Export Pressure, Rising Overseas Trade Barriers
From January to June 2026, China’s tinplate exports fell 13.52% year-on-year, with export markets still facing pressure.
Meanwhile, anti-dumping investigations against Chinese steel products continue to increase overseas. In July, South Korea initiated an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese tinplate; trade measures also emerged in Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Vietnam and other markets.
Table: Anti-dumping Investigations Initiated Against Chinese Steel Products in July 2026
| Date | Product | Country/Region/Organization | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6 | Welded carbon steel pipes | Brazil | Anti-dumping investigation |
| Jul 10 | Tinplate | South Korea | Anti-dumping investigation |
| Jul 10 | Flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy and other alloy steel | South Africa | Anti-dumping investigation |
| Jul 11 | Hot-rolled wire rod | Turkey | Safeguard sunset review |
| Jul 15 | Cold-rolled steel products | South Africa | Safeguard investigation |
| Jul 23 | Steel wire rod | Mexico | Anti-dumping sunset review |
| Jul 24 | Seamless alloy steel | Brazil | Anti-dumping sunset review |
| Jul 27 | Hot-rolled coil | Vietnam | Anti-dumping interim review |
| Jul 27 | Prestressed steel | Vietnam | Anti-dumping investigation |
| (Rulings) | |||
| Jul 16 | Hot-rolled carbon steel pipes | Peru | Anti-dumping final ruling |
| Jul 21 | High-carbon wire rod | Thailand | Anti-circumvention final ruling |
| Jul 24 | Hot-dip galvanized steel strip and sheet | Japan | Anti-dumping preliminary ruling |
7. August Market Outlook
Considering raw materials, supply, demand, and the international trade environment, the tinplate market in August remains in a state of intertwined bullish and bearish factors.
Cost side: HRC prices are weak, exerting downward pressure on tinplate prices; but rising tin ingot prices provide clear cost support for tinplate.
Supply side: Tinplate output remains at a high level, inventories are increasing, and supply pressure has not yet significantly eased.
Demand side: Downstream procurement remains mainly just-in-time, with insufficient initiative to restock; overall market demand is weak.
Export side: Overseas anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and import protection measures are increasing, adding more uncertainty to China’s steel and metal packaging product exports.
Therefore, the tinplate market is expected to continue its weak and stable performance with narrow fluctuations in August.
In the short term, there is insufficient momentum for significant price increases; however, given high tin prices and persistently low profitability of tinplate producers, the room for further sharp price declines is also limited.
8. Recommendations for Metal Packaging Procurement
Given the divergence in raw material prices and changing overseas trade environments, metal packaging companies are advised to pay more attention to procurement planning and supply chain management.
A. Plan procurement needs in advance
For confirmed orders and long-term requirements, make procurement plans early to avoid disruptions to production scheduling due to short-term market volatility.
B. Arrange safety stock reasonably
Under uncertain demand conditions, set safety stock levels based on actual consumption to avoid relying entirely on spot purchases.
C. Arrange delivery and sea freight flexibly
Plan production and shipping schedules in advance to allow more time for comparing sea freight costs and reduce logistics pressure from last-minute arrangements.
As anti-dumping investigations and import protection measures increase, when selecting suppliers, customers should pay more attention to supply stability, country of origin, and long-term supply capability, in addition to price.
Amid market fluctuations and changing trade environments, a stable supply chain and sound procurement planning will become important factors in ensuring the normal operation of metal packaging enterprises.
RIC PACKAGE will continue to monitor changes in tinplate, tin ingot, HRC and international trade policies, and provide customers with stable supply of metal packaging components and more flexible delivery solutions.
www.ricpackage.com
DATA FROM@mysteel.com
