Prices for lead scrap material within the domestic US market slid slightly this week because of a good supply of scrap combined with lead smelters and auto-battery manufacturers operating at near-maximum capacity, according to sources.
"[Lead] scrap is still in good supply, and we are able to buy what we need," one consumer said. "Lead demand is still strong, and we expect that to remain the case of at least the next 60 days."A second consumer source agreed: "Demand for refined lead is very high. Demand for scrap batteries remains steady but hasn't really increased....