Secondary lead smelters operating rates rose sharply this week

SHANGHAI, May 21 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou surged 6.65 percentage points from a week ago to 57.52% as of May 21, showed an SMM survey.

Newly expanded capacity at Guizhou Huaxin has been put into operation this week. Anhui Dahua recovered from maintenance, which lifted the average operating rate in Anhui by 14.89 percentage points to 64.76%.

The average operating rate in Jiangsu declined as production at Jiangsu New Chunxing was unstable due to its technology upgrading.

Operating rates are likely to continue to rise next week as Anhui Dahua will return to full capacity.