ICC News: Needle coke market prices continued to rise in October, up 8-10 percent. Raw coke prices were 13,500-16,500 yuan/ton, and calcined needle coke prices were 26,000-31,000 yuan/ton. Tax-inclusive prices for imported needle coke for graphite electrode were 32,000-34,000 yuan/ton. In face of persistent tight needle coke supply, buyers were jittery. End-user carbon enterprises were more inclined to purchase needle coke on the propensity of buying while prices are on the up. The market is expected to remain largely stable combined with mild fluctuations in the short term. In breakdown, in early October, the market was in fine fettle. Major enterprises reported smooth shipment and they were basically running out of inventories. With local policies gradually coming out ahead of the heating season, there were expectations that operating rate in downstream sectors will fall. In mid-October, it staged another strong comeback last seen in 2017. Changes in supply and demand fundamentals remained in focus. In late October, needle coke market remained stable uptrend. As production curbs only had limited impact on downstream carbon enterprises' operations, downstream market held steady in both price and shipment. On the downstream market, lithium battery anode materials were relatively stable in October, with no obvious fluctuation in product prices. Right now, prevailing quoting prices of low-end anode materials are around 28,000-35,000 yuan/ton in China, mid-tier products 45,000-60,000 yuan/ton and high-end products around 70,000-100,000 yuan/ton. After the National Day holiday, domestic graphite electrode market has extended the gain seen before the holiday and prices are on the rise. Domestic steel plants increased the amount when stockpiling at the end of September following the round of GE price rise earlier in the month, and some keep making replenishment in small quantities on expectations of further price rise going forward.
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