Weekly Review: Needle Coke Shipments Normal, Most Enterprises Maintain Prices (Mar. 8-14)

ICCSINO: This week, the needle coke market remained stable, with downstream enterprises picking up goods according to orders. Some needle coke manufacturers adjusted their prices, while mainstream needle coke enterprises maintained stable pricing. Specifically, coal-based needle coke prices ranged from 7,500 to 8,500 yuan/ton, and oil-based needle coke mainstream prices were between 7,500 and 9,000 yuan/ton. The mainstream prices for coal- and oil-based green coke were 6,000-7,000 yuan/ton. In the import and export market, Japanese coal-based needle coke prices were at $850/ton, and Korean coal-based needle coke prices were at $800/ton. For oil-based needle coke, Japanese prices were $1,100-1,300/ton, British calcined coke prices were $1,050-1,250/ton, and anode coke prices were $650-800/ton.

 

In terms of raw materials, the coal tar pitch market prices remained temporarily stable this week, with modified coal tar pitch mainstream transaction prices ranging from 4,650 to 4,750 yuan/ton and medium-temperature pitch mainstream prices from 4,600 to 4,800 yuan/ton. Recently, coal tar pitch raw material prices have shown a downward trend, and the operating load of coal tar deep-processing enterprises has decreased. The market is characterized by mixed sentiments, with downstream enterprises adopting cautious purchasing strategies. Coal tar pitch is expected to consolidate in the short term. This week, the low-sulfur oil slurry market prices also remained relatively stable, with downstream enterprises purchasing as needed. It is expected to remain stable in the short term, and the costs of oil-based needle coke will remain high and stable.

 

In terms of downstream demand, the graphite electrode market remained stable this week, with the operating rate of the terminal electric arc furnace (EAF) steel industry continuing to increase, indicating a gradual recovery in the industry. Graphite electrode manufacturers maintained rigid demand for raw materials, and with the improvement in the operating rate of EAF steel, the rigid demand consumption of graphite electrodes will also increase. For anode materials, the market maintained a high operating rate this week, with most demand for raw materials coming from inventory depletion. Some enterprises replenished inventory as needed. The market outlook for anode materials remains optimistic, but with raw material prices in a downward cycle, anode material manufacturers are cautious in purchasing. However, demand remains, and the demand for raw materials by anode materials will continue to be released once raw material prices stabilize.

 

Overall, the needle coke market remained stable this week, with mainstream needle coke manufacturers maintaining their prices. Downstream enterprises purchased as needed, and needle coke prices are expected to remain stable in the short term.