Operating rates at lead-acid battery makers unchanged at 74.43%

SHANGHAI, Dec 25 (SMM) – Operating rates across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces averaged 74.43% in the week ended December 25, unchanged from the previous week.

End-user consumption held largely unchanged this week, while lead-acid battery makers mostly kept stable production at the end of the year. Large-scale producers operated at nearly full capacity to prepare inventories before the Chinese New Year. Lead prices dropped before rising this week, and most of the battery makers restocked raw materials on demand.