Consumer demand remains weak during the transition period between peak and off-peak seasons, with lead-acid battery enterprises still experiencing production cuts and shutdowns [SMM Weekly Review on Lead-acid Battery Operation Rates]

        It is understood that from July 4 to July 10, 2025, the weekly comprehensive operating rate of lead-acid battery producers in five provinces tracked by SMM was 70.76%, down 1.07 percentage points WoW.

        Recently, there has been no significant improvement in end-use consumption in the terminal markets for batteries used in electric bicycles, automobiles, etc. Dealers are mainly focused on digesting inventories, and orders for finished products from producers remain weak. Additionally, with lead prices holding up well recently, some producers have reduced or suspended production, or taken holidays, or directly cut production to reduce inventory pressure, dragging down the operating rate of lead-acid battery producers this week. Moreover, the US tariff suspension period is about to end, and the US plans to impose a uniform tariff of 15% or 20% on most trading partners, increasing the export pressure of lead-acid batteries. Attention should be paid to the impact of changes in lead-acid battery exports on the operating rate of producers in the future.