Low season slows operation recovery across lead-acid battery producers

SHANGHAI, Mar 8 (SMM) – Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces edged up 0.09 percentage point week on week and averaged 56.59% in the week through Friday March 8, showed SMM data.

Sales accounted for production across most plants as the motive and automotive battery markets entered its traditional low season. This kept operating rates barely changed.

Rates across plants in Jiangsu rose this week as a large plant in the region recovered from financial issues. The plant suspended from September and resumed in March.

Rates across plants in Zhejiang also climbed this week as smaller inventory pressure and adequate labour allowed battery producers to step up production. Producers of motive batteries in electric bikes reduced inventories of finished goods after sales promotion.

Plants in Jiangxi operated at a lower level this week as a seasonal lull and poor orders for automotive batteries drove plants to slash production plans for March.