Primary lead smelters operating rates rose to 56% this week

Published: Jan 29, 2021 16:54
Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces gained 1.3 percentage points from the previous week to 56% in the week ended January 29, showed an SMM survey.

SHANGHAI, Jan 29 (SMM) — Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces gained 1.3 percentage points from the previous week to 56% in the week ended January 29, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate rose 2.3 percentage points to 68.3% in Henan as the red warning of environmental protection in Henan has little impact on electrolytic refining. Henan Shibin has completely resumed production, and Henan Xinling has started production, but no products have been produced yet. It is expected to resume production next week.

The average operating rate advanced 0.5 percentage point to 49.9% in Hunan as Hunan Yuteng increased its production slightly this week, involving the completion of the treatment of unqualified products in the previous weeks.

The average operating rates remained unchanged at 35.2% in Yunnan. Anhui Tongguan had no output this week, and the plan of producing lead ingots by the end of January remained unchanged.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
18 hours ago
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Read More
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Lead prices were in the doldrums, while secondary lead smelters maintained firm offers due to losses. The mainstream spot order ex-factory prices including tax narrowed the discount to the SMM #1 lead average price by 100 yuan/mt, shifting to a premium of 0–25 yuan/mt, with some smelters halting offers and sales.
18 hours ago
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
18 hours ago
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
Read More
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
Pre-holiday stockpiling by downstream enterprises had largely concluded, and a few had already entered the holiday period, completely suspending procurement. Next week, secondary lead smelters will enter a concentrated wave of production halts and holidays, resulting in sluggish trading activity in the spot market. Offers for spot refined lead orders were sparse, with prices moving in line with the market.
18 hours ago
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
18 hours ago
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
Read More
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
The domestic secondary crude lead market experienced sluggish transactions. As of February 6, 2026, the ex-factory tax-exclusive offers for domestic secondary crude lead stood at 15,250-15,400 yuan/mt. Downstream refined lead and alloy smelters gradually entered the holiday period, showing weak stockpiling willingness. Overseas lead ingot suppliers basically halted transactions with China due to poor consumption in the Chinese market, with only some previously concluded shipments maintaining normal in-transit transportation. The trading atmosphere in the secondary crude lead market will continue to weaken next week.
18 hours ago