Operating rates at lead-acid battery makers dipped on week

SHANGHAI, Sep 18 (SMM) – Operating rates across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces averaged 72.51% in the week ended September 18, down 0.01 percentage point from the previous week, an SMM survey showed.

End-user consumption of lead-acid batteries held largely unchanged this week, while weak lead prices prompted some battery brands to reduce selling prices. Tepid orders for e-bike batteries drove some producers to trim production. Meanwhile, large-scale automotive battery makers operated at nearly full capacity, as orders from automakers were moderate.