Operating rates at lead-acid battery makers remained unchanged at 74.36% this week

SHANGHAI, Jan 29 (SMM) – Operating rates across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces remained unchanged from the previous week at 74.36% in the week ended January 29.

With the approaching of Chinese new year, the lead-acid battery producers are restocking raw materials and preparing for the final shipment of batteries. The production in major sample companies remained largely unchanged.

Expect for the sample producers, some companies in Guangdong and Fujian have stopped production for holidays because non-local workers have been eager to leave for home amid different policies for COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic worsened in early January, Shijiazhuang carried out nucleic acid test for all citizens, and some local producers stopped production since January 6, causing the lead consumption to reduce by 300-400 mt. The companies have resumed production since January 22 as the pandemic was eased.