Off-season Supply Circulation Is Weak, Scrap Battery Prices Follow Futures [SMM Scrap Battery Weekly Review]

Published: Jul 24, 2026 13:46

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SMM July 24 News:

This week, the scrap battery market saw sluggish trading, with secondary lead smelters continuing to incur losses. Purchases were cautious, and there was a clear intention to push for lower prices. Currently, battery replacement demand was in the off-season, and recycling sites showed little willingness to stockpile. The speed of scrap battery flow slowed down, and smelters mostly maintained purchases as needed, with few large-scale restocking operations. Looking ahead to next week, the secondary lead operating rate is expected to continue declining, and raw material procurement demand will further contract. The growth in scrap batteries is limited. The scrap battery market lacks an independent upward driver, and its trend follows the fluctuations of lead futures. If lead prices recover, the decline in raw material prices is expected to narrow; if futures weaken, purchase prices will be under pressure. Pay close attention to the trend of lead prices and the implementation of production cuts at smelters.

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