Influences and trends in lead/acid battery demand, lead supply and prices

This study examines: (i) the historical trends and influences in Western World lead demand, paying particular attention to the battery sector; (ii) the historical trends in Western World lead production in both the primary and secondary sectors, highlighting key influences; (iii) the long-term relationship between consumption and both primary and secondary lead production, and (iv) the lead price and stock history, before summarizing the current situation in the lead market. Finally suggestions are given for a few points to watch for in the future. Most of the paper refers separately to ‘Western World’ and ‘Eastern Bloc’ countries. The definition of Western World includes all countries except the following: PR China, all CIS republics (the former USSR), Mongolia, North Korea, Cuba, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Eastern European countries of Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Albania. These countries are collectively referred to as ‘Eastern Bloc’.