Secondary Lead Smelters Lack Production Enthusiasm, Finished Product In-Plant Inventory on a Declining Trend [SMM Secondary Lead Inventory Weekly Review]

Published: Aug 22, 2025 16:07

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SMM August 22 News:

As of August 21, 2025, the finished product inventories of secondary refined lead smelters were 13,800 mt, a decrease of about 2,700 mt WoW. Smelters are operating at low production levels, with output just sufficient to meet long-term contract deliveries. Additionally, due to the persistently weak market trend, smelters lack motivation for production. Some secondary refined lead smelters have been shut down for over two months, fulfilling their long-term contract obligations by purchasing externally from other secondary lead smelters. Under these circumstances, SMM expects that in-plant inventories of secondary lead will not see a significant accumulation next week.

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