Secondary lead smelters operating rates fell to 50.8% this week

SHANGHAI, Nov 6 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 50.8% in the week ended November 6, down 1.4 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate in Anhui lost 3.8 percentage points on the week to 43.3%, as Anhui Dahua conducted maintenance, but it has returned to normal production currently.

The average operating rate in Henan dropped 2.8 percentage points to 71.3%, as Henan Jinli reduced half of its output due to shortage of battery scrap, but at present it has resumed nearly 90% of production. 

Difficulties in purchasing battery scrap deterred Jiangsu New Chunxin from ramping up production, which kept the average operating rate in Jiangsu unchanged at 40%.

Output resumption at Guizhou Yongxin after environmental inspections boosted the average operating rate in Guizhou by 3.5 percentage points to 62%.

Operating rates at secondary lead smelters are expected to rise next week.