Regarding raw materials, the price of low-sulfur heavy oil fluctuated this month. The price initially decreased and then increased, but by the end of the month, the international heavy oil price trended downward. As a result, the market price of low-sulfur heavy oil also had a downward trend, which will alleviate the production pressure on oil-based needle coke enterprises in the short term. In terms of coal tar, the price has continued to rise this month, but downstream demand for high-priced coal tar is not high. At the end of the month, the demand for coal tar was weak, and the price gradually stabilized. Coal-based needle coke manufacturers still have no intention to resume production as a whole.
In terms of downstream, the overall trading in the graphite electrode market was good this month. The market sentiment for graphite electrodes expecting an increase in price was strong, but the terminal market has not fully recovered yet, and the prices are relatively stable. As of the end of the month, the mainstream UHP600 price ranged from 24,000 to 25,000 yuan/ton. Recently, according to feedback from electric furnace steel mills, the bidding price for graphite electrodes has increased compared to the previous period. There is an optimistic expectation for the graphite electrode market, and industry insiders believe that the trend of the graphite electrode market will be clearer after the "Two Sessions". As for the anode materials market, it ran weakly this month due to poor demand from downstream battery factories, and the operating rate of anode materials was not saturated. The overall price of the industry declined in the latter half of the month. The demand for anode materials orders from battery factories has not yet been released this year. The anode materials market is expected to rebound at the end of March or in the second quarter, and the demand for needle coke by anode materials will remain rigidly purchased in the short term.
Overall, this month's needle coke market saw relatively flat trading activity. The needle coke industry has sufficient product supply, and raw material prices fluctuated at a high level. The graphite electrode market's positive trend will continue to support the stable operation of the needle coke market. Anode materials demand will remain strong in the short term. It is expected that the needle coke market will remain stable in March.
In terms of downstream, the overall trading in the graphite electrode market was good this month. The market sentiment for graphite electrodes expecting an increase in price was strong, but the terminal market has not fully recovered yet, and the prices are relatively stable. As of the end of the month, the mainstream UHP600 price ranged from 24,000 to 25,000 yuan/ton. Recently, according to feedback from electric furnace steel mills, the bidding price for graphite electrodes has increased compared to the previous period. There is an optimistic expectation for the graphite electrode market, and industry insiders believe that the trend of the graphite electrode market will be clearer after the "Two Sessions". As for the anode materials market, it ran weakly this month due to poor demand from downstream battery factories, and the operating rate of anode materials was not saturated. The overall price of the industry declined in the latter half of the month. The demand for anode materials orders from battery factories has not yet been released this year. The anode materials market is expected to rebound at the end of March or in the second quarter, and the demand for needle coke by anode materials will remain rigidly purchased in the short term.
Overall, this month's needle coke market saw relatively flat trading activity. The needle coke industry has sufficient product supply, and raw material prices fluctuated at a high level. The graphite electrode market's positive trend will continue to support the stable operation of the needle coke market. Anode materials demand will remain strong in the short term. It is expected that the needle coke market will remain stable in March.
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