SHANGHAI, Nov. 24 (SMM) - China is expected to register a negative growth in primary lead production in 2014, the first since 2008, Shanghai Metals Market foresees.
"Utilization rate at Chinese primary lead producers is low in 2014 due mainly to poor margins, strict environment protection inspections and high costs of capital," said Zhu Rongrong, SMM's lead analyst.
China is expected to produce 3.17 million tonnes in 2014, she predicted at 2014 SMM China Metals Summit in Shanghai.
Output of primary lead should grow in 2015 along with commissioning of new capacities, but any increase will be small, she noted at the summit.
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