Profits Slow at China Secondary Lead Producers on Falling Prices

SHANGHAI, Jan. 15 (SMM) – Profits at Chinese secondary lead producers were narrowed by reduction in secondary lead sales prices this week, SMM learnt.

Secondary lead prices were mainly at 12,450-12,600 yuan per tonne with average price at 12,535

yuan per tonne, falling 115 yuan per tonne from last week. On the other hand, average price of scrap motive batteries and automobile batteries (white shell) decreased 7,230 yuan per tonne and

6,695 yuan per tonne, respectively down 35 yuan per tonne and 65 yuan per tonne, on a weekly basis. This cut smelting costs by 50-100 yuan per tonne.

Secondary lead supply was tight in Hebei as most disqualified secondary lead smelters there shut down due to environmental protection crackdowns. Overall supply was also tightened but gave little support to prices. Some loss-making regular smelters already halted operation with high costs. 

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