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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![Complex Macro Environment; Lead Prices Are Expected to Remain in the Doldrums [SMM Lead Market Weekly Forecast]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/TmYox20251217171721.jpeg)
![Post-Holiday Supply and Demand Both Increased, Primary Lead Enterprise Plant Inventory Turned to a Decline [SMM Primary Lead Inventory Weekly Review]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/ojSqv20251217171720.jpeg)
![Lead-Acid Battery Market Fully Resumed Operations, Weekly Operating Rate Surged by 42.41% [SMM Lead-Acid Battery Weekly Operating Rate Comment]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/msNEk20251217171722.jpg)
