【Graphite Electrode】Market Prices 

Stabilize with Moderate Transactions

Market Trends:

Last week, domestic ordinary and high-power graphite electrodes maintained stable operations. Prices for both ordinary power and high-power graphite electrodes remained stable, with moderate transaction activity. 

Downstream Trends:

According to a survey of 247 steel mills, the blast furnace operation rate was 76.08% last week, an increase of 0.45% compared to the previous week and a 0.4% year-on-year increase. The iron-smelting capacity utilization rate of blast furnaces was 82.56%, up 0.97% compared to the previous week, with a year-on-year stability. The profitability rate of steel mills was 26.84%, down 3.46% compared to the previous week but up 3.9% year-on-year. According to data from January 11th, out of 125 brown fused alumina smelting furnaces in China, 65 were under maintenance, resulting in an operating rate of 48%, an increase of 2.40% week-on-week. Among 203 white fused alumina smelting furnaces, 88 were under maintenance, leading to an operating rate of 56.65%, a week-on-week decrease of 1.97%. Out of 74 black silicon carbide smelting furnaces, 31 were under maintenance, maintaining an operating rate of 58.11%, which was consistent with the previous week. Overall, there is some support for the demand for graphite electrodes, but purchasers have certain inventories, and procurement intentions have not met expectations.

Raw Material Trends:

Last week, petroleum coke raw material prices rose several times, while needle coke raw material prices declined slightly. This has led to a slight increase in the overall cost of graphite electrodes, providing some support for the stable prices of graphite electrodes. In the short term, it is expected that ordinary and high-power graphite electrode prices in China will continue to operate stably this week, feel free to inquire with us for more relevant information.