Lead battery Scrap Price Lowers but Supply Keeps Tight, Tokyo

Used battery market price is decreasing around Tokyo, which is used as a material for battery electrode plate. One reason is weakness of electrolytic lead market price and another reason is the non-demand season of lead battery. However, battery scrap generation is significantly decreasing. The supply and demand balance keeps tight.

Secondary lead smelters around Tokyo purchase lead battery scrap at around 50 yen per kilogram and some pay as high as 56-59 yen for a large lot offer. The price lowered from the level more than 60 yen.

One smelter said some scrap dealers are holding inventories after the market price turned downward. Local scrap generation is very little.

A battery maker source said lead battery demand is slightly improving and the battery maker’s operating rate is expected to reach 90% of the recent peak level in June. Used battery demand would increase.