Lead market surplus widened to 157kt during 2015

By Carolina Curiel (ScrapMonster Author)

February 22, 2016 12:59:47 AM

BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The global lead market has recorded a surplus of 157,000 tonnes during January to December last year, as mentioned in the latest metals balances report published by the World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS). It must be noted that the worldwide lead market had reported a deficit of 38.4kt for the entire year 2014.

The global refined lead output during the entire year 2015 declined by 7.40% over the previous year to 10,133 kt. This is inclusive of production from primary and secondary sources.

The global lead demand during Jan-Dec ’15 has dropped by 1,010kt. The Chinese apparent consumption recorded sharp fall of over 19% during this period. The country’s apparent consumption totaled 3,816 kt, accounting for nearly 38% of the global apparent consumption during 2015. The usage by the US declined by 69 kt during the previous year

According to the report, reported stocks of the metal at the end of December last year dropped by 87 kt when matched with the stock levels during the end of 2014.

In December 2015 alone, the refined lead production totaled 854.1 kt. The consumption during the month totaled 819.5 kt.