【Negative Electrode Materials】 Stable Prices in Weak Downstream Market

Ⅰ. Current Highlights

1. On May 28, 2023, Jinbo Co., Ltd. successfully delivered power to the Phase I 50,000-ton integrated demonstration line for the preparation of carbon powder for lithium battery negative electrode materials, with supporting graphite crucible products for reference. marking the trial production phase for processes such as crushing, granulation, carbon coating, pre-carbonization, and graphitization. 

2. Lekai Sodium Energy (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. has completed an angel round financing of tens of millions of yuan, with the funds raised to be used for the construction planning and technological research and development of negative electrode material production lines. The LKHC-300 hard carbon negative electrode material has achieved mass production indicators in terms of consistency, capacity, and initial efficiency. Compared to mainstream hard carbon negative electrode materials, the LKHC-300 exhibits outstanding performance with high capacity, high initial efficiency, and good compaction, showing broad application prospects in low-speed transportation, A00-grade vehicles, and large-scale electrochemical energy storage fields.

Ⅱ. Current Market

Source: Oilchem

Prices of negative electrode materials in China

The mainstream negative electrode materials include natural graphite at around 40,000-42,000 yuan/ton, artificial graphite at around 34,000-38,000 yuan/ton, and mesophase carbon microspheres at around 65,000-70,000 yuan/ton.

Ⅲ. Production and Sales Dynamics

1）Supply: Orders for leading enterprises have slightly increased, but small and medium-sized enterprises still have relatively low operating rates, and the overall market supply remains balanced.

2）Demand: There is no significant improvement in downstream market demand, with cautious purchasing and strong price pressure.

Ⅳ. Related Product Market

1）Petroleum Coke: The domestic petroleum coke market maintained weak trading, with some refineries implementing price reductions due to tight coke feedstock.

2）Needle Coke: The needle coke market is generally subdued, with declining transaction volume and no significant boost in market demand, resulting in no positive expectations for the future market.

Ⅴ. Future Market Forecast:

In the short term, the negative electrode materials market still needs to digest raw materials and semi-finished product inventories. Market prices are unlikely to receive positive support in the short term, and a weak and stable situation is expected to continue. For more information about the negative electrode material industry report, feel free to contact us.