As electric arc furnace steelmaking and the new energy sector expand, the needle coke market is poised for significant growth, particularly fueled by the rising demand for high-performance graphite electrodes.

【Electric Arc Furnace Steel】Moderate Demand Increase, Weak Rebound in Black Metals

This week, China's construction steel market saw a weak rebound. Downstream demand was average, and inventory levels among traders were not high, leading to a cautious market sentiment. As of March 27, the average price of rebar in China was 3,298 yuan, up 39 yuan compared to last week.

In terms of raw materials, the price of scrap steel in China saw a slight rebound this week, driven by scrap steel enterprises holding back sales. As a result, steel mills experienced a continuous reduction in incoming shipments and were forced to raise prices to attract materials. The average purchase price increased by 18 yuan to 2,219 yuan (excluding tax) compared to last week.

Electric arc furnace steel mills continued to reduce losses, and with the gradual increase in downstream demand, overall production activity remained steady. According to Xinluo Information, as of March 27, the capacity utilization rate of 135 electric arc furnace steel mills in China was 51.12%, up 0.99% from last week, with an electric arc furnace steel output of 319,900 tons per day, continuing a seven-week increase.

Recently, China's steel market demand has shown signs of recovery, but the "low inventory and low prices" in construction steel reflect that real estate policies have not yet fully transmitted to the steel market, with infrastructure demand being the main driver, although at a slow pace. Additionally, the export market faces tariff increases, and the short-term steel market remains relatively weak. In this situation, a few long-process steel mills in China have announced production cuts, while electric arc furnace steel mills, though relatively stable, have limited short-term production growth drivers.

Feel free to contact us anytime for more information about the graphite electrode market. Our team is dedicated to providing you with in-depth insights and customized assistance based on your needs. Whether you have questions about product specifications, market trends, or pricing, we are here to help.