Lead Scrap Market Price Maintains High around Tokyo

Lead scrap market price slightly increased by 3 yen per kilogam around Tokyo since Mitsubishi Materials revised up its electrolytic lead selling price, the market indicator, by 6,000 yen. The market price became around 125-135 yen per kg for high grade lead scrap, 115-125 yen per kg for electrode plate scrap and 105-115 yen per kg for typographic lead scrap.

Supply and demand of high grade lead scrap are balanced at low level. Local secondary lead ingot makers are not concerned on short-term material shortage. Meanwhile, one secondary lead smelter showed an intention to purchase lead scrap because scrap generation maintains very low since mid January.

Local secondary lead ingot makers aim to purchase high grade lead scrap at 145-150 yen per kg. On the other hand, scrap dealers show strong selling stances. One of the smelters said they must approve 152-153 yen for large-lot scrap procurement. The smelters are trying to reflect high material cost on the ingot prices.

As for typographic lead scrap, supply maintains short. Lead alloy makers pay around 130 yen for the scrap.