The overall transaction price of needle coke was stable this month, and the situation of tight supply still exists. The demand-side procurement activity is still acceptable. The industry has continued to increase prices this month due to cost pressures. As of the end of November, the domestic coal-based needle coke price was 6000-6500 yuan/ton, the oil-based needle coke price was 6000-7000 yuan/ton, and the green coke price was 5000-5500 yuan/ton. In terms of imports, coal-based needle coke was 700-1100 USD/ton, the price of oil-based needle coke was 800-1150 USD/ton, and the price of anode coke was 550-750 USD/ton.
Enterprise News of the Month:
On November 26, the Henan and Shanxi companies of RISUN Group announced product price adjustments. After price adjustments, green needle coke was at 5000-5500 yuan/ton, and calcined needle coke was at 6000-7000 yuan/ton.
On November 26, Baowu Carbon announced price adjustments. After the adjustment, the green needle coke was at 5000-5500 yuan/ton, and the calcined needle coke was at 6000-7000 yuan/ton.
Market outlook:
The demand for needle coke is showing good momentum, but the supply side is unlikely to be greatly improved. ICCSINO estimates that the needle coke market still has room for a small increase in the later period.
Downstream side:
Chinese graphite electrode market is showing a steady upward trend, and transaction situation is acceptable. Based on the expectation of further needle coke price rise in December, the price of graphite electrode will be supported in the short term and still have room to rise. Under recent market prices of products, electrode manufacturers began to profit slightly, so the output of graphite electrodes in December will remain high.
Besides, the battery anode material market continues to improve, with production and sales hitting new annual highs. At present, low-priced supplies have completely withdrawn from the market, and transaction prices have risen to vary degrees. The demand side of the lithium battery anode market performed well this month. Especially, the leading battery manufacturers were in full production, which made anode output increase significantly. It is expected that the lithium battery anode market will continue the positive trend in December.
End market:
As a result of the weakening domestic steel market and continued decrease in scrap arrivals, the output growth rate of electric furnace steel plants has slowed down significantly, and the capacity utilization rate in some regions has fallen. As of November 26, 2020, the capacity utilization rate of electric furnace steel in 135 steel plants across the country was 65.17%, an increase of 0.09% from last weekend. Among them, the capacity utilization rate of 92 independent electric furnace steel plants was 65.15%, an increase of 0.17% from last weekend, and the capacity utilization rate of long-process electric furnaces slightly declined.
The overall production of lithium batteries is still at a high level this month, but the recent trends in power and digital segments are somewhat different. In terms of power, large-scale battery manufacturers have full orders and sufficient production arrangements. In terms of digital, demand has weakened in recent times, and companies expect that after Christmas, small digital factories will cut production. The price is relatively stable; only digital batteries from small factories have slightly increased.
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