【GE】Global Carbon Industry Takes the Lead in Kunming! Gathering 80% of UHP Graphite Electrode Market Giants!

As the "big test" of reaching a 15% electric arc furnace (EAF) steel ratio by 2025 draws near, domestic attention to the electric arc furnace steel market has surged once again, sparking continuous excitement within the industry.
The previous bull market in electric arc furnace steel was driven by the capacity upgrade resulting from the elimination of rebar steel, and after 7-8 years, a new round of capacity upgrades, centered around reducing carbon emissions, is poised to bring fresh development opportunities to steel mills, raw material suppliers, and equipment manufacturers. The rising popularity of graphite electrodes is one of the signs that this cycle has begun. In November, graphite electrode prices "strongly rebounded," with price increases for ultra-high power (UHP) graphite electrodes ranging from 500 to 1000 RMB. As 2024 draws to a close and 2025 quietly approaches, will the graphite electrode market continue its current trend? What is the strength and sustainability of this new cycle?

As the political and economic landscape globally experiences "unprecedented changes in a century," the global carbon market faces new dynamics. Amid this transformation, who will lead the global carbon market? Who will set the tone?

The 15th International Needle Coke and Carbon Materials Technology and Industry Development Summit Forum will be held from November 13-15 in Kunming. Leading domestic and international steel enterprises such as Baowu Steel Group, CITIC Pacific, Spain's Celsa, and Russia's Novolipetsk will gather in Kunming. Major graphite electrode companies like Fangda Carbon, Jilin Carbon, Liaoning Dantan, Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials, Jianglong Carbon, Yingkou Desheng, Zhongzhou Carbon, and Qinghai Shengxiang, which together hold more than 80% of the ultra-high power electrode market share, will also attend. Their participation not only highlights the forum's high level and authority but also injects powerful momentum into the innovation and development of needle coke and carbon materials technology, helping to write a new chapter in the carbon industry's development.

Below is a brief introduction to the attending graphite electrode companies:

Fangda Carbon New Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Lanzhou, Gansu, Fangda Carbon operates four production bases for graphite electrodes in Lanzhou, Fushun, Hefei, and Chengdu. The company produces Φ750mm and Φ800mm ultra-high power graphite electrodes, filling a domestic gap. Their self-developed Φ750mm UHP graphite electrode has received Gansu Province's new product certification. Fangda's total carbon product production capacity reaches 230,000 tons, including 190,000 tons of graphite electrodes. In the first three quarters of 2024, Fangda reported revenue of 3.151 billion RMB and a net profit of 257 million RMB.

Jilin Carbon Co., Ltd.

Jilin Carbon is one of China's major carbon manufacturers. In 2022, the first phase of its 120,000-ton UHP graphite electrode project was completed, achieving an annual capacity of 80,000 tons of UHP graphite electrodes. The company has optimized the raw material formulations for various electrode sizes and improved the competitiveness of its large-size electrodes. In the first three quarters of 2024, Jilin Carbon's total graphite electrode output was 71,000 tons.

Liaoning Dantan Technology Group Co., Ltd.

Liaoning Dantan Group operates several subsidiaries, including Dandong Xinxing Carbon, with a total production capacity of 120,000 tons/year for graphite electrodes. The company produces a wide range of electrodes, including regular, impregnated, high-power, and ultra-high power, covering sizes from Φ200mm to Φ800mm. In 2024, the company produced 70,000 tons of graphite electrodes in the first three quarters.

Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

Located in Kaifeng, Henan Province, Pingmei New Carbon Materials has an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of graphite electrodes, specializing in large-size UHP electrodes from Φ500mm to Φ800mm. The company utilizes international advanced production technology and equipment.

Jianglong Carbon Group

Founded in 1987, Jianglong Carbon is based in Peixian, Jiangsu Province. The company produces 60,000 tons of ultra-high power graphite electrodes annually and other carbon products. It was the first in China to produce Φ700mm and Φ750mm UHP electrodes. In the first three quarters of 2024, Jianglong's graphite electrode production totaled 39,000 tons.

Yingkou Desheng Carbon Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1995, Yingkou Desheng Carbon specializes in the production, R&D, and sales of carbon products. With an annual graphite electrode capacity of 70,000 tons, the company produces electrodes ranging from Φ250mm to Φ700mm, meeting diverse customer needs. In the first three quarters of 2024, its total graphite electrode production was 45,000 tons.

Zhongzhou Carbon Co., Ltd.

Zhongzhou Carbon, a standing director unit of the China Carbon Industry Association, is one of the earliest carbon enterprises in China. The company produces calcined coke, carburants, graphite electrodes, crucibles, graphite blocks, bipolar plates, and graphite cathodes. With an annual production capacity of 80,000 tons of carbon products and 430,000 tons of calcined coke, Zhongzhou Carbon is a leader in the market for smaller-size electrodes and large UHP electrodes. In the first three quarters of 2024, Zhongzhou Carbon produced 60,000 tons of carbon products and 150,000 tons of calcined coke.

Qinghai Shengxiang Electrode Products Co., Ltd.

Established in 2008, Qinghai Shengxiang is located in Haidong City, Qinghai Province. The company has an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons of UHP graphite electrodes and 5,000 tons of other special carbon products. Shengxiang uses its own technology, reducing energy consumption by over 30% compared to traditional methods. In the first three quarters of 2024, Qinghai Shengxiang produced 18,700 tons of carbon products.

With the profound changes in global political and economic landscapes and the ongoing push for carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, the growing electric arc furnace steel market is bringing a new spring for the graphite electrode industry. As we approach 2025, the graphite electrode market is poised to embrace unprecedented opportunities and challenges in technological innovation, capacity optimization, and market expansion. The 15th International Needle Coke and Carbon Materials Technology and Industry Development Summit Forum serves as a high-end platform for top domestic and international companies to exchange ideas and share wisdom. The gathering of industry leaders like Fangda Carbon, Jilin Carbon, Liaoning Dantan, Kaifeng Pingmei, Jianglong Carbon, Zhongzhou Carbon, Yingkou Desheng, and Qinghai Shengxiang demonstrates the industry's strong cohesion and competitiveness and will drive the high-quality development of the entire carbon industry chain. With deep expertise and continuous innovation in the UHP graphite electrode sector, these companies are sure to set the direction for the future of the global carbon market. Looking ahead, the graphite electrode industry will accelerate its development on a green, low-carbon, and efficient path, leading the way in industrial upgrades and structural optimization.

Let's look forward to and witness this historic leap, working together to create a brighter future for the carbon industry!

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