Secondary lead smelters operating rates declined slightly on maintenance

SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 45.7% in the week, down 0.3 percentage point from the previous week, an SMM survey showed.

The average operating rates remained unchanged on the week at 47.1% and 33.3% in Anhui and Jiangsu respectively.

The average operating rate in Henan rose 8.3 percentage points on the week to 71.9% as Jinli resumed production after maintenance.

The average operating rate in Guizhou dropped 10.1 percentage points to 33.1% under the environmental regulations, as Jinlong reduced production for lack of lead-acid battery scrap amid cold weather and unsmooth transportation in Sichuan province, and Sanhe suspended production for maintenance earlier in the week.

SMM learned that the battery scrap purchase conditions will be improved, and Sanhe has resumed production. Thus the operating rates next week will rise amid stable production in other regions.