, April 9, 2020: Declining downstream demand for lead acid batteries, especially in the auto sector, has meant manufacturing operations have had to slow since last week in Chinese plants, according to the Shanghai Metals Market on April 3.

“Increase in new orders shrank significantly at battery mills in export-oriented areas such as Guangdong and Fujian, and some received orders have been delayed or cancelled,” the SMM said.

“Those battery plants mulled output cut or suspension if orders fail to recover in the near term.”

The rate was down by just 0.2 of a percentage point since last week, with operating rates averaging 65.0% compared with 65.24% the previous week — but this is likely to be a sign of things to come as overseas demand weakens with the virus kicking in.

Bicycle battery demand was also sluggish, the SMM said, with inventory piling up at some battery companies and most producers running below full capacity.

On April 9, the number of global coronavirus cases had surpassed 1.5 million, with the number of deaths recorded at more than 90,000.