Supply of waste lead-acid batteries varies by region, and tight supply of secondary crude lead is difficult to alleviate in the short term [SMM Weekly Review of Scrap Batteries & Secondary Crude Lead]

SMM December 12:

This week, the supply in the waste lead-acid battery market showed significant regional disparities. The supply of automotive lead-acid batteries increased in Northeast and North China, while the retirement volume of EV lead-acid batteries declined in East China. Secondary lead smelters reported reduced arrivals, and their weekly raw material inventory dropped by 5,700 mt WoW. Currently, the mainstream tax-included price of waste EV batteries delivered to smelters is 9,850-10,000 yuan/mt. SMM expects further upside room for waste lead-acid battery prices next week.

Spot supply of domestic secondary crude lead remained limited, with few offers this week. Some enterprises purchasing secondary crude lead for lead alloy production indicated that individual secondary crude lead smelters in Central and East China were holding back cargoes and had delays in fulfilling long-term contracts. As of December 12, 2025, the mainstream ex-factory, tax-excluded offer for secondary crude lead (standard grade) was 15,800-15,900 yuan/mt. Supported by raw material prices and persistent tight supply, SMM expects secondary crude lead offers to remain high next week.

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