Monthly report : Industrial chain gradually recovered in May, needle coke market is about to usher

 

In terms of raw materials, the price of raw materials fluctuated greatly this month. The price of oil slurry rose first and then fell, and the price of coal asphalt rose sharply after falling. In terms of low sulfur oil slurry, the price of low sulfur oil slurry at the beginning of this month was driven by the surge of raw materials, and the price was pulled up. Subsequently, due to poor downstream demand, the price was down. By the end of the month, the price of low sulfur oil slurry was 3700-3950 yuan/ton, and the production pressure of oil system needle coke was slightly reduced. In terms of coal bitumen, the supply and demand of coal bitumen are weak at the beginning of the month, and the price continues the previous trend, falling all the way. The price of coal bitumen raw materials rises in the month, the confidence of coal bitumen enterprises is boosted, and the price rebounds broadly. By the end of the month, the price of medium temperature bitumen is at 4500-4600 yuan/ton. Coal asphalt part of the downstream enterprise procurement mentality is positive, coal measure needle coke enterprise procurement has returned to the state of loss, the mood of coal asphalt procurement is not high, the market price of coal asphalt will rise again in the short term.

 

In the downstream aspect, the graphite electrode market is relatively weak this month, the price of UHP600 at the end of the month is 21000-22000 yuan/ton, the operating rate of electric furnace steel enterprises is gradually declining, mainly for graphite electrode just need to use, graphite electrode demand for raw materials is also just need to replenish, it is difficult to see a short-term improvement. In terms of anode  material, the negative material market was weak and stable in May. Inventories of semi-finished products and finished products in the early stage of the top negative electrode enterprises were still at a high level. At the end of June, big factories started a new round of bidding. Although the purchasing end is still cautious, the negative price game is extremely fierce, and the inventory of superimposed material end is at a medium high level and the competition between new and old anode players is fierce. It is expected that the price of anode material will be further reduced, but the demand for raw materials  will increase.

 

Generally speaking, the needle coke market is relatively flat this month, and the downstream enterprises are mainly in need of replenishment. The overall production load of needle coke is not high. The demand for anode materials will have a small increment next month, and the market price of needle coke will remain weak and stable in the short term.