SHANGHAI, Apr 30 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese lead-acid battery producers stemmed their decline this week following four consecutive weeks of slide. Meanwhile, end-users consumption failed to see a significant increase. 

An SMM survey showed that operating rate across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces averaged 62.04% in the week ended April 30, unchanged from a week ago.

Producers of electric bicycle batteries and automobile batteries were doing sales promotion. But distributors only purchased as required as limited declines in their inventories reinforced pessimistic prospects for consumption. Relatively greater inventory pressure at electric bicycle battery producers led to reduced operations in April. 

Most medium-scale and small battery companies planned to take a break for 1-5 days during the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday.