Operating rates across licensed secondary lead smelters unchanged on week

SHANGHAI, Aug 30 (SMM) – Licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan provinces maintained stable operation this week, with the average operating rate unchanged from a week ago at 56.1%, showed an SMM survey.

The average rate across smelters in Jiangsu was 50%, with rates in Anhui and Henan standing at 55.1% and 69.6%, respectively, all flat from a week ago. Discounts of secondary refined lead against the average price of SMM #1 lead stabilised this week. 

Secondary lead producer Shandong Zhongqing recovered and generated output on Monday August 26, but production was unstable this week. Its daily production currently stands at 300-400 mt. 

SMM learned that Guizhou Huokilin prepared for resumption but it did not stockpile raw materials battery scrap given existing inventories. 

Provinces including Henan and Hebei have yet to release production curb plans for the upcoming National Day parade.