Operating rates at lead-acid battery makers slipped due to the Labour Day holiday

SHANGHAI, May 8 (SMM) – Operating rate across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces averaged 60.15% in the week ended May 8, down 1.88 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate fell as some producers have suspended production for up to five days for the Labour Day holidays amid sluggish consumption.

Large lead-acid battery producers, meanwhile, maintained stable production. Some producers of batteries used in automobiles saw their inventories of finished goods growing slower thanks to sales promotion.

With more governments slowly reopening their economies for business, foreign demand for lead-acid batteries is likely to see a recovery.

Next week, the average operating rate across lead-acid battery producers in the five major producing areas is expected to rebound as some producers recover production from the long holidays.