March 24, 2022: The global supply of refined lead metal in 2021 exceeded demand by 46 kilotonnes, according to latest preliminary data published by the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) on February 22.

The international commodity organization said in its Review of Trends in 2021 analysis that inventories reported by the London Metal Exchange, Shanghai Futures Exchange and producers, merchants and consumers fell by 55kt and totalled 390kt at the year end.

World output of refined lead metal increased by 3.3% — despite the closure of Clarios’ 100kt per year secondary lead smelter in the US in March and the temporary suspension of activities at Ecobat’s Stolberg smelter in Germany in July last year, ILZSG said. This was primarily a consequence of rises in a number of countries including Belgium, China, France, India, South Korea, Mexico, Poland and the UK.

The output of refined lead metal from secondary raw material accounted for 64.7% of global production in 2021, compared to 63.3% in 2020.

Mine supply

Global demand for refined lead metal rose by 4.3%. This was mainly influenced by increases in Brazil, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and the US.

In China, demand grew by 1.6% and in Europe by 3.4%, which ILZSG said was principally a result of rises in the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland and the UK, which were partially offset by reductions in Austria, Germany and Ireland.

Meanwhile, world lead mine supply increased by 3.8% in 2021, with rises in China, Bolivia, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Turkey that were partially balanced by a reduction in Poland, ILZSG said.

Chinese imports of lead contained in lead concentrates fell by 9.4% in 2021 and amounted to 682kt. Net exports of refined lead metal totalled 76kt compared to net imports of 32kt in 2020.

International Lead Association managing director Andy Bush told an India Lead Zinc Development Association webinar on February 18 that the automotive market was set to be a major driver for lead demand up to and beyond 2030.

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