Cathay Chemical Works General Manager Zhicheng Hong stated that in 2024, the company faced significant challenges due to the downturn in China’s economy and international geopolitical instability. However, the rise of AI technology has driven strong demand for heat-dissipation metals like copper, which, in turn, led to a surge in the international price of zinc blocks. From an average price of US$2,521 per ton at the beginning of the year, the price gradually climbed to US$ 3,043 per ton by year-end, marking an increase of 20.71%.