Japan Pb Battery Production Recovers Pre-Quake Level

Japanese lead automotive battery production recovered pre-major earthquake level in June. The production marked the yearly record at 1.922 million units or 14,608 tonnes of lead volume in June, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The lead volume represented year-on-year increase for the first time in 4 months. The battery inventory hit 27 months high at the end of June due to the shipment slowdown for new car.

The lead automotive battery production represented year-on-year decrease for 3 months in a row through June. However, the lead volume increased in June from a year earlier when battery makers restarted the output and prepared for higher demand in summer.

The inventory increased for 6 months in a row through June and the stock hit the record of 2.586 million units or 14,779 tonnes of lead volume for the first time since November 2008. The stock in June is 24.7% higher than year earlier level due to the decrease in automobile production.

The imported battery rate of domestic shipment hit 6 months low at 12.2% with 253,000 units from South Korea in June while the rate was high at 21.3% in April due to domestic users’ inventory building after the quake.

Japanese battery production decreased by 3.9% to 10.478 million units or 80,892 tonnes of lead volume in January-June from same period of last year.