SHANGHAI, August 14 (SMM)-
Data from SMM indicates that in July 2023, the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) in China was approximately 11,600 mt, which includes 2,700 mt for the LMO battery, 6,100 mt for the alkaline manganese battery, and 2,800 mt for the zinc-carbon battery. This represents a month-on-month increase of 4.43% but a year-on-year decline of 52.54%. From January to July 2023, the cumulative production was about 76,400 mt, demonstrating a year-on-year decrease of 61.71%. The increase in the monthly output was primarily seen in the EMD used for alkaline manganese battery and LMO battery. One contributing factor was the influx of catch-up orders from overseas original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) earlier on, which spurred an increase in the operational rate of domestic enterprises in the alkaline-manganese battery sector. Another factor was that despite a slump in the LMO output for the month, the leading enterprises did not reduce their order volumes, ensuring a steady demand for the LMO–oriented EMD enterprises.
It is understood that the effects of sluggish end-user consumption in the LMO sector will progressively amplify in August, resulting in a further reduction in the production schedule of LMO enterprises. Consequently, a slight downturn is anticipated in the production of LMO-type EMD in August, while output of EMD for alkaline manganese and zinc-carbon battery is expected to maintain relative stability. Therefore, the projected production of EMD in August is approximately 11,300 mt.
