Scrap battery prices remain firm, with secondary crude lead supply scarce. Recyclers are reluctant to sell, while smelters face pressure from rigid demand [SMM Weekly Review on Scrap Battery & Secondary Crude Lead]

SMM News on August 8:

During the week, lead prices saw a catch-up rally, and waste lead-acid battery recycling enterprises became more bullish and reluctant to sell, with some secondary lead smelters reporting a decline in arrivals. Additionally, due to poor end-use consumption, the amount of waste lead-acid batteries retired in the market was limited, and the collection volume at stores was also low, keeping scrap battery prices firm. Currently, the mainstream tax-inclusive procurement price for waste e-bike lead-acid battery scrap executed by smelters ranges from 10,100 to 10,250 yuan/mt.

The supply of secondary crude lead in the market remains scarce, with suppliers offering firm quotes. Currently, the ex-factory price for secondary crude lead without tax ranges from 15,700 to 15,850 yuan/mt, with some manufacturers approaching 16,000 yuan/mt including freight to the factory. Moreover, due to limited new orders from downstream battery producers and moderate demand for lead alloys, downstream smelters purchasing secondary crude lead for alloy production also have low buying sentiment, only making minimal purchases based on immediate needs.

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