【Petroleum Coke & Graphite Electrode】Latest Market and Price Analysis

1. Latest news from the petroleum coke market

l Daqing Petrochemical offers high-quality low-sulfur coke (sulfur content: 0.35%, ash content: 0.2%, volatile matter: 10-11%, moisture above 3%) at the latest price of 4100 CNY/ton, with guaranteed sales.

l Fushun Petrochemical offers 1#A petroleum coke (sulfur content: 0.35%, ash content: 0.05%, volatile matter: 10-11%, moisture above 3%) at a price of 4000 CNY/ton. 

2. This week, China domestic ultra-high power graphite electrode prices remain stable. The price for φ450 ultra-high power graphite electrode is in the range of 15300-15800 CNY/ton, and for φ600, it is 18300-18800 CNY/ton. However, the overall sales performance is not satisfactory. In downstream sectors, the average operating rate of 87 independent electric arc furnace steel mills nationwide is 72.26%, an increase of 0.73 percentage points compared to the previous period and a 23.16 percentage point increase year on year. Among them, the operating rates in the East China and Southwest regions have slightly increased. For 247 steel plants, the blast furnace operating rate is 82.14%, which decreased by 1.46 percentage points compared to the previous week but increased by 10.53 percentage points year on year. The blast furnace iron-making capacity utilization rate is 89.82%, decreased by 1.33 percentage points compared to the previous period but increased by 10.53 percentage points year on year. The steel plant profit margin is 64.50%, an increase of 0.43 percentage points compared to the previous period and an increase of 45.45 percentage points year on year. The electric furnace has a loss of 345.03 CNY/ton, and the blast furnace has a loss of 132.89 CNY/ton. Both electric and blast furnace losses have eased, but overall demand has not improved. The months of July and August may enter a low season for ultra-high power graphite electrode demand this year. Regarding raw materials, this week's prices for Jinxi coking and CNPC Jinzhou needle coke remain stable. With active shipments in the mid-to-high sulfur markets, the low-sulfur coke market has improved, resulting in relatively stronger prices for some domestic needle coke and increased cost pressure for ultra-high power graphite electrodes. Due to stable supply and weak demand, there is considerable pressure on the sales of ultra-high power graphite electrodes domestically. It is expected that the prices of domestic ultra-high power graphite electrodes will remain weak and stable in the short term. Article source: Shanghai Steel Union Refractories Network.

3. Overview of the petroleum coke market: On July 31st, the average price of petroleum coke was 2238 CNY/ton, a slight increase of 1 CNY/ton, with a growth rate of 0.04%. Currently, the overall sales of petroleum coke are stable, with prices showing mixed movements. For more industrial reports on the graphite electrode and coke market, free feel to contact us.