Demand from Zinc-Carbon and Alkali Manganese Batteries Contributes more to EMD Output Growth in Mar

SHANGHAI, Mar 9 (SMM) - Chinese electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) output was 14,500 mt (including 900 mt used in LMO battery, 8,000 mt used in alkaline manganese battery, and 5,600 mt for zinc-carbon battery) in February, up 33.03% MoM and down 61.94% YoY. EMD output in the first two months of 2023 stood at about 25,400 mt, down 66.71% YoY. The output of EMD used in zinc-carbon batteries and alkali manganese batteries rose more. On one hand, manganese salt plants gradually resumed operation after the Chinese New Year holiday. On the other hand, the downstream demand improved, boosting the companies’ production.

In March, due to the lower operating rates of LMO battery companies, the demand for EMD (used in LMO batteries) may decline further, and the output will fall slightly. The output of EMD (used in zinc-carbon and alkali manganese batteries) is expected to be about 14,300 mt owing to the better demand from these two sectors.