Operating rates across lead-acid battery producers further grow

SHANGHAI, May 24 (SMM) – Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces gained 0.64 percentage point from the previous week and averaged 51.91% in the week through Friday May 24, showed SMM data.

While end-market consumption did not improve, a rally in lead prices and continued sales promotion drove some distributors to stockpile, and depleted inventories at producers.

Some large producers this week stepped up production to reach mid-year targets and this accounted for higher operating rates.