China UHP graphite electrode price remains stable

Last week China UHP (ultra-high power) graphite electrode price was stable, and UHP graphite electrode φ450mm price was 22000-22500 yuan/ton, φ 600 price was 25500-27000 yuan/ton, with a general transaction. 

Downstream, there are 85 independent EAF (electric arc furnace) steel plants in China, with an average operating rate of 60.06%, a month-on-month decrease of 1.41% and a year-on-year decrease of 5.13%, of which, North China and Southwest China increased slightly, while Central China showed a slight decline. The BF (blast furnace) operating rate of 247 steel plants was 75.97%, an increase of 0.07% compared with last week and 7.97% compared with last year; The BF ironmaking capacity utilization rate was 82.64%, with a month-on-month increase of 0.63% and a year-on-year increase of 8.36%; The profit margin of the steel plant was 21.65%, down 0.87% month-on-month and 59.74% year-on-year. This week, the EAF operation rate continued to decline, which was unfavorable for UHP graphite electrode price rise.

In terms of raw materials, Daqing petroleum coke price decreased by 100 yuan/ton, Jinxi petroleum coke price remained stable, and the raw materials prices  continued to have a negative impact. Both raw materials and downstream demand are weak, and the UHP graphite electrode price is expected to run steadily in the short term. Pay attention to us for more production trend reports of EAF steelmaking.