ILZSG forecasts rise in global usage of refined lead metal in 2015

LISBON (Scrap Monster): The latest press release issued by the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) highlights the current trends in global supply and demand for refined lead metal and forecasts the outlook for 2015.

ILZSG forecasts 1.1% rise in global usage of refined lead metal. The global usage is expected to total 11.05 million tonnes in 2015. The Chinese demand is forecast to increase only by 1% during the year. The refined lead metal usage is forecast to increase by 0.8% in Europe and by 1.2% in the US.

The global lead mine production will witness a rise of 1.1% in 2015. The mine production during the year is expected to total 5.05 million tonnes. The drop in mine output by Australia and Ireland will be partially balanced by increased mine output from other lead producing countries such as China, India, Mexico and Sweden. It must be noted that the decline in Chinese mine output had dragged the global production by 7.9% in 2014.

ILZSG forecasts 1.1% rise in world refined lead output in 2015 to 11.03 million tonnes. Increased output is expected from the European region, especially countries like Belgium, Germany, Italy and the UK. Output growth is expected from China, India and the US also. However, the refined lead output from Japan, Korea and Peru are likely to decline during the year.

According to latest data compiled from member countries, ILZSG anticipates a close balance between global refined lead metal supply and demand in 2015. It forecasts a minor deficit of 17,000 tonnes in the current year.