 | |
- close
- close
|
Topic
Top news source/blog that we're missing
Why do you recommend this news source?
|
||
WIKI ANALYSIS
 |
This article describes a commodity traded on a commodities exchange. View articles referencing this commodity. |
Lead is a metal which is mainly used in lead-acid batteries.[1] Annual world production was 8.7 million metric tons in 2008.[2]
Exposure to lead causes adverse clinical health effects. The usage of the metal had been restricted for many applications (e.g. painting) in the past decade.
The chart at left shows continuos front-month futures prices for Lead traded on the London Metal Exchange (LME).[3]
Lead Producers
Lead is a major by-product in zinc mining activities.
Key Trends and Forces
Global Economic Downturn
The usage of lead is related to the number of deployed vehicles. Lead-acid batteries have a limited lifecycle and need frequent replacement. However, most of the lead can be recovered from the old batteries and reused.
Emerging Economies
Improving living conditions increase the number of light duty vehicles for private transport and the number of trucks required for the transport of goods. Specific for this economies will be the extensive usage of lead-acid batteries in electrical driven bicycles.
New Electrification Wave
Lead-acid batteries do not suit the need for use with hybrid or fuel cell powertrains and will be replaced by other battery technology (NiMH or Lithium).
References
- ↑ International Zinc and Lead Study Group
- ↑ International Zinc and Lead Study Group - Press Release, February 2009
- ↑ London Metal Exchange (LME) London Metal Exchange - Standard Lead Hub Page
| ||||||
|
|
