Lead Scrap Market Price Slightly Surges in Tokyo

Lead scrap market price surged by about 4 yen per kilogram around Tokyo on Monday after Mitsubishi Materials revised up its electrolytic lead selling price, the market indicator, by 10,000 yen to 210,000 yen per tonne on Friday. The market price became around 85-95 yen per kg for high grade lead scrap, 75-80 yen per kg for electrode plate scrap and 65-75 yen per kg for typographic lead scrap.

Secondary lead smelters and lead alloy makers, major users of lead scrap, are suffered from severely tight material supply. Brass bar makers’ demand keeps stable for secondary lead ingot, the main material of which is high grade lead scrap. Bob makers’ demand also hit bottom for secondary lead ingot. The supply and demand balance is tightening though ingot selling price stays relatively low.

A secondary lead smelter around Tokyo said they aim to purchase high grade lead scrap at below 120 yen per kg but need to pay 125 yen for favorable grade and large lot offers. Some lead alloy makers seem to approve 100 yen for typographic lead scrap.

Market price also represents high for used battery and electrode plate scrap due to low scrap generation, those which are recycled for battery electrodes, though scrap users are trying to lower the purchasing cost. Secondary lead smelters pay 40-50 yen per kg for used battery.