Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers inch up

SHANGHAI, Dec 3 (SMM) – Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei averaged 67.49% in the week through November 30, up 0.31 percentage point from the previous week, SMM data showed.

The average rate across plants in Jiangsu climbed 2.04 percentage points last week as overseas clients increased orders to avoid duties before the planned US hikes tariffs on January 1. As the year draws to a close, construction of many infrastructure projects is winding up, which also lifted operating rates across battery producers in Jiangsu.

Weakening consumption of automotive batteries and smog-alert production curbs forced some small battery plants in Hebei to lower operating rates last week and the average rate across the region edged down 0.51 percentage point last week.