Anode materials import and export review and outlook in 2022

1. Anode materials import and export review

In 2022, China's artificial graphite products total import volume was about 27500 tons, down 2.25% year on year, and the average monthly import volume were 2293.54 tons. In the first half of the year, the import volume in February was low, only 1161.21 tons. China's artificial graphite products spot price fell from a high of $9500/ton to around $7300/ton. Importers were alert to the high risk, and the trading volume shrank except for long-term contracts. 

In 2022, China's artificial graphite products total export volume was about 401000 tons, up 0.61% year on year, and the average monthly export volume were 33416.99 tons. In the first half of the year, the export volume in March was low, only 21911.77 tons. China's artificial graphite products spot price fell from a high of $9500/ton to around $7300/ton. Exporters were alert to the high risk, and the trading volume shrank except for long-term contracts.

In 2022, China's flake graphite products total import volume was about 169100 tons, an increase of 194.69% over the previous year, and the average monthly imports were 14094.51 tons. In April 2022, flake graphite import volume was the lowest in the whole year, at 6800 tons, mainly affected by the resumption of graphite ore production in Mozambique.

In 2022, China's flake graphite products total export volume was about 101800 tons, down 16.34% year on year, with an average monthly export volume were 8487.33 tons. In the first half of the year, the export volume in February and March was low, only 5486.26 tons and 5408.94 tons respectively. China's flake graphite products spot price fell from a high of $9500/ton to around $7300/ton. Exporters were alert to the high risk, and the trading volume shrank except for long-term contracts.

In 2022, China's spheroidized graphite products total import volume was about 126.27 tons, down 39.59% year on year, and the average monthly import volume were 10.52 tons. In the second half of the year, August import volume hit a new high of 84.43 tons.

In 2022, China's spheroidized graphite products total export volume was about 58200 tons, 9.97% higher than that of the previous year, and the average monthly export volume was 4851.77 tons. In the first half of the year, the export volume in February was low, only 2,932.43 tons. The spot price of China's spheroidized graphite products fell from a high of $9500/ton to around $7300/ton. Exporters were alert to the high risk, and the trading volume shrank except for long-term contracts.

2. Requirements review

From 2019 to 2022, the downstream demand of global anode materials was increasing year by year. In 2019, the downstream demand was about 400000 tons, and in 2022, it increased to about 1.2 million tons, which was about three times that of 2019. The demand growth rate from 2019 to 2022 shows a trend of first falling, then rising, and then falling again.

From 2019 to 2022, the global demand structure for anode materials was relatively stable. The demand for power battery anode materials increased year by year and always accounted for the highest proportion. By 2022, the volume of this part has reached 4.92 million tons, accounting for 70%. The proportion of consumer battery anode materials has declined year by year, from 33% in 2019 to 12% in 2022. The proportion of energy storage anode materials has increased significantly to 12% by 2022, indicating that the energy storage market is developing rapidly.

3. 2023 Outlook

China's anode material market will still focus on cost and supply and demand. From January to February, affected by the Spring Festival holiday, delayed resumption of work, logistics and transportation, and some force majeure, China's anode materials market was weak. In March, the overall demand recovered rapidly, the demand side was strong in Q1 - Q2, the graphitization price fell, the cost further decreased, and the market price remained stable and fell. In the second half of the year, with the vicious competition brought about by the price war of graphitization processing, the price was at the red line of cost, and the negative electrode material factory launched a battle for long-term agreement orders. In order to keep profits and orders, some businesses have compromised the unreasonable prices in the downstream, or stopped the projects under construction at hand.

2023 will be a year of competition for the anode materials market, with the expansion of large quantities of new production capacity, the competition for long-term orders, the price war and a series of other competitive situations staged. The annual growth rate of anode output will show a trend of rapid growth and gradual slowdown. During this period, many enterprises will also withdraw from the market. For more information about artificial graphite anode materials, welcome to contact us for details.