【Petroleum Coke】Prices Slightly Up, Local Refinery Coke Prices Increase by 20-200 RMB/ton!

Market Overview

On March 18, the average price of petroleum coke in the market was 3014 RMB/ton, up by 4 RMB from the previous working day, a 0.13% increase. Currently, the petroleum coke market is stable, with downstream industries actively purchasing at lower prices, showing increased activity compared to earlier periods. Local refineries have raised low-end coke prices, while major refineries maintain stable prices, with some low-sulfur coke prices continuing to decline. Mainstream graphite electrode companies are operating steadily, with weak and stable demand for raw petroleum coke.

Key Regional Market Prices

PetroChina refineries have steady shipments, with downstream aluminum carbon producers purchasing as needed. Negative electrode material prices are rising, and companies using high-priced raw materials are still under cost pressure. As coke prices drop, procurement activity improves. In Shandong, Jinan Refinery and Qingdao Petrochemical have steady shipments of negative electrode coke and carbon coke. In South China, Beihai Refining and Guangzhou Petrochemical are maintaining orders as needed, with Beihai entering maintenance by the end of the month.

In Northeast China, CNPC's price stabilization period ends on March 24, and refineries are fulfilling orders with slight increases in inventory, though still under low-pressure conditions. In Northwest China, refineries mainly ship aluminum carbon coke, but silicon material orders are under expectations. CNOOC refineries are normal in auctions, with prices not yet announced.

Local Refinery Market

Local refineries are seeing improved shipments, and prices for local petroleum coke have largely increased by 20-200 RMB/ton. Some high-sulfur coke prices have slightly dropped by 10-50 RMB/ton. The market has seen fluctuations, with Hebei Xinquan Petrochemical's coking unit shut down for maintenance for about a week and Jiangsu Xinhai Petrochemical reducing sulfur content to 2.26%.

Imports

As domestic coke prices stabilize and partially rise, imports have improved, and the price has stopped declining. Traders are actively selling and port shipments are accelerating.

Supply

As of March 18, 24 coking units in China were shut down for maintenance, with daily petroleum coke output at 84,735 tons and a coking operating rate of 65.70%, down 0.19% from the previous working day.

Demand

Downstream aluminum carbon companies maintain steady demand for petroleum coke. Negative electrode material companies are continuing to fulfill previous orders, with large electrode companies running at high capacity, while smaller companies are securing fewer orders, operating at mid-to-low levels, and keeping their petroleum coke procurement stable. The silicon carbide industry and the southern fuel market still show demand for high-sulfur coke. 

Market Outlook

The overall petroleum coke market is stable, with downstream industries continuing steady procurement, which supports the market. It is expected that tomorrow, major refineries will maintain stable petroleum coke prices, while local refineries may still raise prices by 10-100 RMB/ton.

(Source: Baiifo)

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