Scrap Lead, Scrap Batteries Trade Suspends In Northern China On Strict Environmental Protection Inspections

Scrap Lead, Scrap Batteries Trade Suspends In Northern China

NEW YORK (US SCRAP CORNER): Transactions for scarp batteries and secondary lead are suspended in North China at present due to stricter environmental protection inspections, reported Shanghai Metals Market.

On September 18, stricter environmental protection inspections hit Shandong and more than 20 producers relative to secondary lead, citing scrap battery traders, secondary lead smelters and scrap battery plastic shell processors, were inspected. The impact was expanded to Hebei, Henan and Shijiazhuang.

In the recent two weeks, large secondary lead smelters lowered procurement prices for scrap batteries by about 150 yuan in Henan, Hunan, Hubei and Anhui following the latest VAT rebate cut.

Henan Yuguang Gold & Lead cut purchase prices to 6,950 yuan per ton from 7,130 yuan per ton two week ago for scrap automobile batteries (white shell). And Hubei Jinyang Metallurgy and Hubei Chu Kay Metallurgy quoted 7,000 yuan per ton on September 21 and should lower the prices to 6,950 yuan per ton this week.

Purchase prices for scarp motive batteries fell to 7,530-7,550 yuan per ton from last week’s 7,580 yuan per ton at Anhui Huaxin Lead Industry Group. Even the cut in purchase prices, secondary lead producers still report losses.

Trading activities for scarp batteries are predicted to decline in the near future following the environmental protection inspections in Shandong and a cut in procurement prices by secondary lead smelters. And small secondary lead smelters may thus halt operation. Consequently, eased competitions may drive up operating rate at large smelters, SMM predicted.

April 30 2015: Baltic Dry Index Declines Further on Lower Supramax, Panamax Rates

By Jason Bourne

LONDON (US Scrap Corner): The main sea freight index at London-based Baltic Exchange declined further on Thursday, April 30, due to weak supramax and panamax rates.

Baltic Exchange provides daily freight market prices and maritime shipping cost indices which are used to settle freight futures.

Baltic Dry Index (BDI)
A continued decline in supramax, panamax indices drive the overall index at Baltic Exchange down further 5 points to 591 points on April 30 of this year, as compare to Wednesday close of 595 points.

Baltic Dry Index is the average daily earnings of capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize dry bulk transport vessels.

Baltic Panamax Index (BPI)
The panamax index dropped sharply by 15 points to 658 points on Thursday. The average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry 60,000 to 70,000 ton cargoes of coal or grains, slipped by $112 to $5246.

Baltic Supramax index (BSI)
The supramax index slipped by 2 points to 625 points on Thursday. The average daily earnings for supramaxes, which usually carry 45,000 to 59,000 ton cargoes of coal or grains, also dropped by $26 to $ 6533.

Baltic Capesize Index (BCI)
However, the Baltic capesize rate which advanced by 7 points to reach 565 points on Thursday. The average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport above 100,000 ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, advanced by $12 to $4,532.

China Copper Scrap Imports From Around Asia Rise During July; Western Nations Down

By Jason Bourne of US Scrap Corner
BEIJING (US Scrap Corner): China copper scrap from around Asia advanced during July of this year while its imports from Western nations down. China which accounts for 40% of global copper demand.

As per July Chinese Customs Data, nations total copper scrap imports recorded a sharp rise of around 37% during July to 360,000 tons.

Chinese local News agency SMM reported that, Chinese traders that have been selling down scrap inventories on hand in H1 started replenishing stocks in July, boosting the scrap imports during the month.

However, most importers favored cheaper materials from Southeast Asia, albeit of relatively low quality, because scrap yards in the US and Europe held quotations up.

The world’s leading copper buying nation China imported 2.12 million tons of secondary copper during January to July of 2014, which represent a drop of 12% from a year earlier.

IN ADDITION
Copper prices are mounting a comeback as investors grow more confident about the global economy. Copper enjoyed a nice little bump last week rising, 3.3%, but prices are still down 7% for the year amid fears of a slowdown in China, the world's largest consumer of the red metal.

August 20 2014: Stronger Capesize Rate Lifts Main Sea Freight Index At Baltic Up

By Jason Bourne of US Scrap Corner
LONDON (US Scrap Corner): The main sea freight index at London-based Baltic Exchange was advance on Wednesday, Aug 20, primarily supported by a stronger capesize index.

Baltic provides daily freight market prices and maritime shipping cost indices which are used to settle freight futures.

A sharp rise in capesize index was drive the overall index at Baltic up about 21 points to 1,061 points on August 20 of this year. Baltic overall index is the average daily earnings of capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize dry bulk transport vessels.

The capesize rate which was advance about 124 points to reach 2,380 points, its best since April 2nd of this year. Capesize vessels are typically above 150,000 long tons deadweight and ships in this class include bulk carriers transporting coal, ore, and other commodity raw materials.