Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers dip on week

SHANGHAI, Nov 12 (SMM) – Average operating rates across Chinese lead-acid battery producers edged down 1.51 percentage points week on week to 67.61% in the week through Friday November 9. 

Some small plants lowered operating rates as weakening consumption reduced orders while most large plants maintained high operating rates on brisk orders from distributors, who have annual sales targets to meet by the year-end.

SMM expects the average operating rate to extend its decline this week as newly-commissioned capacity at a large plant in Zhejiang province has yet to stabilise operations.