ICCSINO: The needle coke market performed well this month, with active procurement from the two major downstream markets. In the early part of the month, the graphite electrode industry was in its peak season, and procurement by needle coke enterprises was satisfactory. In the middle and late parts of the month, deliveries were made according to order contracts. In the middle and late parts of the month, anode material enterprises began a new round of raw material stocking, and several anode enterprises actively negotiated new orders with needle coke enterprises. In terms of plant operations, the operating rate of the needle coke industry remained low this month, with a few operating enterprises maintaining high-load production. In the middle of the month, a new needle coke enterprise in Shandong commenced production, and in the middle of next month, a new needle coke enterprise in Liaoning will officially commence production. Overall, the supply of needle coke in October remained at a medium-to-low level, and needle coke prices remained relatively stable. Specifically, coal-based needle coke prices ranged from RMB 7,500 to 8,500 per ton, oil-based needle coke mainstream prices ranged from RMB 5,800 to 8,400 per ton, and mainstream prices for coal- and oil-based green coke ranged from RMB 5,000 to 5,600 per ton. In the import and export market, Japanese coal-based needle coke prices were USD 950 per ton, and Korean coal-based needle coke prices were USD 850 per ton. For oil-based needle coke, Japanese prices ranged from USD 1,100 to 1,300 per ton, British calcined coke prices ranged from USD 1,050 to 1,250 per ton, and anode coke prices ranged from USD 650 to 800 per ton.
In terms of raw materials, coal tar pitch prices fell initially but then rose, overall trending towards stability. By the end of the month, the mainstream price for modified coal tar pitch was RMB 4,250 to 4,400 per ton, and the mainstream price for medium-temperature coal tar pitch was RMB 4,250 to 4,350 per ton. This month, coal tar pitch prices were mainly influenced by fluctuations in upstream raw material prices, and downstream demand was affected by the buyer's mentality of "buying on rises, not on falls," leading to increased purchasing enthusiasm at the end of the month. The operating rate of the pre-baked anode industry, which is the main demand driver, remained relatively unchanged, while the operating rates of the graphite electrode and coal-based needle coke industries were low, with only a small amount of rigid demand. Currently, coal tar pitch is supported by costs and influenced by downstream buyers' positive purchasing attitudes, and prices have potential for further increases in the future market. In terms of low-sulfur oil slurry, prices remained stable with slight increases this month. At the beginning of the month, low-sulfur oil slurry prices were supported by rising crude oil prices, and oil slurry prices were fine-tuned. In the middle and late parts of the month, due to the low operating rates of downstream industries, procurement of low-sulfur oil slurry remained stable, and prices remained stable. Next month, oil-based needle coke enterprises are expected to increase production, increasing demand for oil slurry, and low-sulfur oil slurry prices are expected to rise, increasing the cost pressure on oil-based needle coke.
In terms of downstream markets, the graphite electrode market showed a slight rebound this month, with mainstream UHP600 prices increasing by 5.88% to RMB 17,750 to 18,250 per ton. Affected by the peak season in the steel industry, in-production graphite electrodes were actively shipped, and overall inventory pressure was alleviated. Graphite electrodes focused on raw material stocking at the beginning of the month. After the peak season, it is expected that graphite electrodes will continue to maintain rigid demand procurement for raw materials, with demand mainly concentrated in leading enterprises. In terms of anode materials, the operating rates of leading anode material enterprises remained at a high level this month. Terminal battery cell factories increased their purchases of power and energy storage anode materials. After the National Day holiday, anode material enterprises began a new round of raw material stocking and had satisfactory procurement of needle coke. Next month, battery cell factory production plans will remain basically stable, and it is expected that anode material demand for raw materials will remain at a level of rigid demand replenishment.
Overall, the needle coke market transactions were satisfactory this month, with a slight increase in downstream demand supporting needle coke market prices. Next month, overall demand may decline slightly, but the overall change will be small. Raw material prices are expected to rise, and needle coke enterprises have a strong mindset of stabilizing prices.
CONTACT US
ICC APP
