Expectations for Price Hike Spread to Raw Materials, Wait-and-See Sentiment over Scrap Batteries Intensifies

Published: Aug 5, 2026 14:22

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SMM August 5 News:

Driven by expectations of rising lead prices, recyclers hope that smelters' raw material purchase prices will rise in tandem, resulting in a strong wait-and-see sentiment. However, downstream finished product transactions have not improved significantly, so smelters dare not raise material procurement prices substantially. Some recyclers complain that while market prices rise, scrap battery prices do not follow suit; they are observing changes in smelters' production willingness after the lead price increase, and the impact of rising procurement demand expectations on scrap battery prices. SMM expects that in the short term, scrap battery prices will mainly rise tentatively in line with the market, lacking sufficient momentum for a substantial rally.

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