Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers continue decline as consumption shrinks

SHANGHAI, Dec 24 (SMM) – Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei averaged 65.52% in the week through December 21, down 0.8 percentage point from the previous week, SMM data showed.

For the same week, rates across plants in Jiangsu slipped 0.51 percentage point to 52.63% and rates across plants in Zhejiang dropped 2 percentage points to 68.15%.

As distributors who sell lead-acid batteries for electric bicycles and automobiles met their annual sales targets, large battery producers reined in stocks of raw materials and finished goods and lowered operating rates.

Smaller battery producers held operating rates stable as they cut output after consumption weakened. Battery stockpiling for the Chinese New Year holiday also prompted them to keep operating rates unchanged.