This week (March 12, 2026–March 18, 2026), the average operating rate of primary lead smelters in the three provinces was 62.59, up 1.52 percentage points WoW.
This week, production at smelters in Henan fluctuated slightly but increased overall, while a mid-sized smelter in Hunan resumed production this week, contributing the main increase in output; in Yunnan, one smelter slightly raised production, while the resumption of operations at another smelter was delayed until late March. In addition, some small-scale smelters in Yunnan still had no expectations of resuming production due to raw materials, downstream orders, and other factors.
![This Week, Secondary Lead Smelters Lowered Scrap Battery Purchase Prices, and Losses Eased WoW [SMM Secondary Refined Lead Weekly Review]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/xVUpr20251217171722.jpg)


