Used Battery Market Price Decreases in Tokyo

Used battery market price decreased to less than 70 yen per kilogram while the price was 70 yen or more in early October. The price would decrease due to weak export price for South Korea under lower lead price at London Metal Exchange. The supply decreased when the dealers built up the inventory with expectation for higher price.

Used battery market price was high at 70 yen per kg or more until earlier the month when the dealers pay higher price for export for South Korea. The monthly averaged export price was 80 yen or more since April and the price hit the record at 81.8 yen in August, according to Ministry of Finance.

However, LME lead price turned into downward in August. The price was US$ 1,890 per tonne on Thursday, which hit the lowest price since July 2010. The price decreased by around 28% to from US$ 2,627.50 on August 1.

The dealers reduce the used battery supply with expectation for higher price while the battery output is as same as 2010. The secondary lead ingot supply would be very tight in demand season in and after November.