【Graphite Electrode】Market Remains Stable with Some Enterprises Shifting Production to Other Products

Market Overview

As of August 2nd, the graphite electrode market prices remain stable, ranging from 16,000 to 24,500 yuan/ton, with an average market price of 17,398 yuan/ton, maintaining stability compared to the previous working day. Due to deviations in the graphite electrode market operation, there is low enthusiasm among graphite electrode enterprises for production. Some enterprises mainly produce graphite blocks and graphite crucibles, leading to a consumption of graphite electrode inventory. However, a few enterprises are still producing graphite furnace hend electrodes for graphite processing.

Upstream Market

Low-Sulfur Petroleum Coke: PetroChina's subsidiaries in the Northeast region, Daqing, and Fushun petrochemicals, maintain stable coke prices, while Jinzhou petrochemical continues its price guarantee sales for this month, keeping coke prices steady.

Low-Sulfur Calcined Coke: The mainstream transaction price for low-sulfur calcined coke (using Jinxi and Jinzhou petrochemical coke as raw materials) is 4,000 to 4,500 yuan/ton. For low-sulfur calcined coke (using Fushun petrochemical coke as raw material), the mainstream ex-factory transaction price is 5,900 to 6,060 yuan/ton. And for low-sulfur calcined coke (using Liahe and Binzhou Zhonghai petrochemical coke as raw materials), the mainstream market transaction price is 3,900 to 4,400 yuan/ton.

Needle Coke: Currently, the Chinese needle coke market is relatively stable. In the petroleum-based needle coke segment, major enterprises are producing normally, and negotiations are ongoing for new contract prices, with a growing upward trend. On the other hand, due to high production costs, coal-based needle coke sales remain average, and operating rates remain low due to moderate demand.

Downstream Market

Steel: Steel mills are adopting staggered production schedules, and their profitability is low, affecting their enthusiasm for graphite electrode procurement.

Market Forecast: With weak downstream demand and limited support from raw material costs, it is expected that graphite electrode prices will remain stable tomorrow. Low-priced resources for ultra-high power 450mm graphite electrodes are likely to trade between 15,000 to 16,000 yuan/ton. Contact us for more reports on the graphite electrode market.