Japan Waste Battery Price Impacts on Secondary Refineries’ Profit

Japanese waste battery price keeps high level due to higher official lead price and tight supply. The waste battery price could decrease due to adjustment of offshore lead market while the domestic tight supply could support the battery price.

Secondary lead refineries try to purchase waste battery at 45-55 yen per kilogram in Tokyo. The dealers try to sell the battery at 60 yen or more while the refineries’ profitability is severe at more than 50 yen of purchase price.

South Korean buyers support the battery price while the buyers’ bids are relative reasonable compared with the level in 2009. The battery supply in Japan is still low level while the supply increases seasonally in summer period.

Recent international lead market decreases from earlier the month. The domestic battery price could decrease due to potential higher supply under hot summer along with the lower offshore market. However, the tight supply could continue for a while. The buyers concern the higher cost pressures on the profitability.