Integrated media reported on December 7 that Kwik-Fit, a British auto parts manufacturer, said on Monday that the recent cold weather has led to a significant increase in sales of automotive batteries, which may increase the demand for lead in the UK.

Kwik-Fit spokesman said on Monday that the company's battery sales last week increased by 70% over the same period last year. He added that it is very obvious that the cold and snowfall conditions in the early wintertime have increased demand for batteries.

Lead-sulfuric acid batteries for automobiles and other equipment have the ability to adapt to extremely high temperatures and low temperatures.

Globally, the demand for lead in the battery industry accounts for 80% of the total lead demand.

Last Friday, the British auto repairer RAC said that the number of car batteries it repaired during the past month has increased significantly by 40% from the same period last year.

This may lead to increased demand for lead in the United Kingdom.

LME lead stocks are currently at a 10-1/2 year high, and inventory data shows that many lead warehouse shipments have occurred recently, indicating that the lead industry has increased demand.

Lead inventories rose by 275 tons on Monday, with a total stock of 203,950 tons.

However, Kwik-Fit said that unless the cold weather continues, the company's battery sales this year is expected to remain flat at the level of the previous year.