SHANGHAI, Sep 18 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 55.5% in the week ended September 18, down 3 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey. Secondary lead capacity in Guizhou increased from 592,000 mt to 622,000 mt as Guizhou Yongxin added a new production line, lifting the total capacity in the four provinces from 3.28 million mt to 3.31 million mt. 

Maintenance at Anhui Dahua lowered the average operating rate in Anhui by 5.9 percentage points to 44.1%.  

The average operating rate in Jiangsu remained unchanged at 66.7%, as it has been difficult to purchase battery scrap from other provinces after the new solid waste law took effect.

The average operating rate in Henan lost 3.9 percentage points on the week to 70.2%, as Henan Jinli underwent maintenance, with treatment capacity of battery scrap down 700 mt. 

The average operating rate in Guizhou edged up 0.1 percentage point to 50.3%, as output cut at Guizhou Sanhe was offset by output increase at Guizhou Yongxin.