Secondary lead smelter operating rates rose to 50.34%

SHANGHAI, Jul 2 (SMM) - Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 50.34% in the week ended July 2, up 0.71 percentage point from the previous week, showed an SMM survey. (Last week’s operating rate was revised up to 49.63% as Anhui Huaxin Xinda resumed work from maintenance.)

In Anhui, Camel resumed production from maintenance this week, while Huaxin Xinhua suspended production for overhual due to the environmental protection inspections in the mid-week. Jiangsu New Chunxing reduced production. Beside the sample companies, Jiangxi Xinya resumed work after overhaul, and some plants in Hebei cut production due to the 100th anniversary of the founding of CPC, but the reduction was limited. The plants in maintenance in Anhui will further recover production next week, and the impact of the off-peak season will weaken. Operating rates of secondary lead is expected to keep rising next week.