Operating Rate of Secondary Lead Smelters Down 9.91% from Sep 24

SHANGHAI, Sep 30 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 46.11% in the week ended September 30, down 9.91 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The operating rate fell sharply mainly due to the further production reduction and suspension amid the losses, power rationing, and environmental protection. The extended power rationing and the inspections on the power consumption in some regions also affected the production of secondary lead.

Large-scale companies in Anhui started to reduce production by 15-30% this week, dragging down the overall operating rates.

The impact of the power rationing is expected to weaken after the National Day holiday, and some smelters in maintenance will resume production in Jiangxi and Henan. The overall operating rate is expected to rebound.