Environmental Protection-Related Controls Coupled With Insufficient Raw Material, Secondary Crude Lead Quotes Remained Firm [SMM Scrap Battery & Secondary Crude Lead Weekly Review]

SMM News on March 6:

Scrap battery retirements were limited, and collection volumes on the recycling end were weak; some smelters faced inventories are critically low for raw materials and implemented production cuts, providing strong support for waste lead-acid battery prices. Meanwhile, stores and recyclers showed strong reluctance to sell, and market trading activity for scrap batteries was expected to remain subdued next week.

This week, a few domestic secondary crude lead smelters suspended production due to environmental protection-related controls. Downstream buyers said that procurement became difficult after supply tightens, suppliers held firm on offers, and mainstream tax-exclusive ex-factory prices were 15,450-15,550 yuan/mt. Sentiment for imported lead trading was weak; quotations were limited this week, and self pick-up prices at some ports remained at 300 yuan/mt below the SMM #1 lead average price.

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