Analysis of current petroleum coke, needle coke and graphite electrode market

1. Low - sulfur coke prices still have a chance to rebound

From June 16 to June 27, the overall market price of high-quality low sulfur coke remained stable. The downstream anode material market demand was strong, high quality low sulfur coke was in short supply. Daqing Petrochemical will enter the maintenance period in July, and the overall market supply of high-quality low sulfur coke resources may be reduced. However, in July, the lithium anode material market is in the peak season, and there will be obvious contradiction between supply and demand. The market price focus of high-quality low sulfur coke may go up. 

Recently, the regular low sulfur coke price has fallen steadily, mainly due to the price decline of downstream electrolytic aluminum, in addition, the downstream carbon enterprises are under great financial pressure, with poor willingness to purchase goods, and some refineries cut prices to clear their warehouses. However, the demand for regular low sulfur coke in the anode material market continues to improve, which can also provide a certain support for the market. It is expected that the market price will continue to consolidate in the short term.

2. Needle coke market is stable and the enterprise production is normal

On June 28, 2022, needle coke market price remained stable compared with the previous working day, and the operating range of calcined coke was 11000-15200 yuan/ton; Raw coke was 9500-11500 yuan/ton, and the mainstream transaction price of imported oil-based needle coke was $1300-1600/ton; calcined coke was $2300-2500/ton; The mainstream transaction price of imported coal-based needle coke was $1850-2000/ton.

At present, China's needle coke market is stable, mainstream enterprises production is normal, in terms of downstream demand, the anode material is still the main shipping force. In order to reduce cost pressure, recently according to the feedback of some enterprises, the price of new orders signed by anode enterprises has a downward trend; The terminal demand of graphite electrode market is flat, the operation is general, and the demand for needle coke is lower than that in previous years.

There is no obvious change on the supply side of needle coke enterprises, and the demand side is expected to remain the current status, mainly focusing on the delivery of raw coke. The needle coke market price is expected to remain stable in the next working day, and the price operation ranges: calcined coke is 11000-15200 yuan/ton; raw coke is 9500-11500 yuan/ton.

3. What is the price trend of graphite electrode in the situation of supply and demand deadlock?

On June 28, 2022, the average price of graphite electrode market mainstream specifications was 25393 yuan/ton, unchanged from yesterday.

At present, due to high temperature weather and continuous rainfall in many regions, graphite electrode downstream steel market is in the traditional off-season, and steel operation is not easy to improve in the short term; The graphite electrode production aspect, under the double pressure of cost and shipment, more graphite electrode enterprises reduce production. In the short term, the weak supply and demand of graphite electrode market is not easy to change.

The graphite electrode market supply side is expected to continue to shrink, supporting the willingness of graphite electrode enterprises to maintain prices. At present, graphite electrode market is under great cost pressure, and the profit margin of graphite electrode enterprises is limited. Under the condition of weak supply and demand, it is expected that graphite electrode price will remain stable in general. Reading more graphite electrode market news, feel free to contact us.