Market Nuggets: Chinese Lead Acid Battery Output Rises On Electric Bike Production – Barclays

Thursday August 16, 2012 08:33 AM

Data out of China shows lead acid battery production rose by 45% year-over-year in July alone and have risen 25% year-to-date, notes Barclays Capital. This should be supportive for the lead market. “Given battery production represents close to 70% of total lead demand in China, it is certainly an encouraging trend,” the bank says. They note electric-bike production rose 45% year-over-year in July and 22% for 2012. Given the strong demand data trends, Barclays says there “a solid case” to make that this will continue. Supplies have tightened because of the strength of demand, and it’s likely solid demand will continue into year end.

Note: Antimony is used in lead acid batteries !