Some Smelters' Scrap Battery Inventory Only Meets Immediate Demand; Smelters' Production Cuts Intensify Tight Supply of Secondary Crude Lead [SMM Scrap Battery & Secondary Crude Lead Weekly Review]

SMM, March 7:

With the impact of the Chinese New Year fading and lead prices rising, secondary lead smelters have increased their production enthusiasm, leading to higher procurement demand for raw material scrap batteries. Due to strong bullish sentiment among recyclers, smelters reported tight arrivals, with raw material inventory barely sufficient for immediate needs. As of March 7, 2025, the mainstream tax-inclusive procurement price for scrap EV batteries ranged from 10,000 to 10,250 yuan/mt.

Additionally, multiple provinces and cities in north China recently issued heavy pollution weather alerts, prompting secondary crude lead smelters to reduce or suspend production, further exacerbating the tight supply of secondary crude lead. Few companies provided quotes during the week, and as of March 7, 2025, the tax-exclusive delivery-to-factory price for downstream alloy smelters ranged from 16,050 to 16,150 yuan/mt.

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