SHANGHAI, Jun 6 (SMM) – The average operating rate across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces lost 4.66 percentage points from the previous week to stand at 47.25% in the week to Thursday June 6, as downstream demand remained weak. 

Distributors also made limited purchases even as major battery producers extended sales promotion. Poor sales and lower prices of lead grew market pessimism, and prompted lead-acid battery mills in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Jiangsu to cut planned output by 10-20%, an SMM survey found. 

For the Dragon Boat Festival, large battery producers typically maintain normal operation, or close for a day, while medium-sized and small plants close for up to three days. The operating rates across lead-acid battery producers are expected to rebound next week after the holiday.