US lead surplus may prompt closures: Doe Run

Oct 15, 2012 | 09:55 AM | Barbara O'Donovan

Tags  Doe Run, lead, lead-acid batteries, LME Week, Barbara O'Donovan

LONDON — Overcapacity in the U.S. lead market could result in smelter closures and consolidation in the industry, Doe Run Co. vice president of sales and marketing Jose Hansen told AMM Monday.

"The problem that the U.S. is facing today in the secondary industry is that there is overcapacity," he said on the sidelines of LME Week in London.

"What has happened in the U.S. market is that there are new plants now in place. JCI (Johnson Controls Inc.) has put in two new plants and there is another company expanding their secondary plant, so I would say currently there is extra capacity, probably 330,000 to 350,000 tonnes. But the scrap supply, it’s not increasing," Hansen said.....





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