China is planning to limit the companies alwed to recycle lead acid batteries for refined lead manufacturing, said a top industy fficial last Sunday. The new rule will llow only 20 recyclers to process lead acid batteries Iin the future. There are currently hundred of recycling companies doing this now.China is the worlds largest producer of refned lead. Experts estimate production to increase to 240 million klowatt hours by 2015, twice the levels in 2009. In 2009, China used 2.35 million tonnes of refned lead for lead acid battery producton, which accounts for 70% of China's needs each year.In a conference in Shenzhen City, vice general secretary, of China's Battery Industry Associaton, Cao Guoqing sald that the govemment will stricty enforce the new rule but did not say when it will become effective.' The countys needs will rise each year with 1.75 millin for next year. By 2012 China will need 1.93 millin tonnes, further increasing to 2 69 million tonnes by 2015. This year China only needed 1 49 million tonnes and used even less in 2009. China will need primary and recycled lead at approximately 3.9 milin tonnes for 2010 and over 4.2 milion tonnes in 2011, according to Antaike, a govemment backed research company. The govemment aims to improve envronmental standards by puting a cap on the companies allowed t如o recycle batteries.