Seasonal lull steadies operating rates across lead-acid battery producers

SHANGHAI, Mar 22 (SMM) – Operating rates at lead-acid battery producers across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hebei provinces barely changed from the previous week and averaged 57.17% in the week through Friday March 22, showed SMM data.

Amid a seasonal lull, lead-acid battery producers planned production on sales. This kept their operating rates steady.

In the face of lower value-added taxes, some large battery producers stockpiled lead ingots, with deliverable materials from primary lead smelters accounting for the majority of their procurement.

Small and medium-sized battery producers, however, remained cautious about purchasing raw materials, with some favouring tax-excluded secondary lead.