ICCSINO: This month, the needle coke market has seen robust trading activity, with most enterprises actively shipping products and industry inventories remaining low. Tight raw material supply has driven up procurement costs, increasing cost pressures for needle coke producers. Downstream demand for anode materials remains strong, while graphite electrode demand remains stable. Early in the month, low-priced needle coke saw price hikes, pushing overall transaction prices upward. Specifically, coal-based needle coke is priced between 7,500 and 8,500 yuan/ton, while oil-based needle coke ranges from 7,400 to 8,700 yuan/ton. Mainstream prices for coal- and oil-based green coke stand at 5,200 to 6,300 yuan/ton.
In the import-export market, Japanese coal-based needle coke is priced at USD 830/ton, while South Korean coal-based needle coke has risen to USD 840/ton. For oil-based needle coke, Japanese prices range from USD 1,100 to 1,300/ton, with British calcined coke priced between USD 925 and 1,125/ton, and anode-grade coke holding steady at USD 650 to 800/ton.
Regarding raw materials, the coal tar pitch market has weakened this month, driven by declines in coal tar prices. Downstream customers are adopting a cautious procurement approach, despite ample overall supply. However, poor profit margins have intensified competition between supply and demand. As the industry is currently in its off-season, coal tar pitch prices are expected to continue fluctuating downward. Low-sulfur oil slurry prices have continued to rise this month, with refineries experiencing smooth shipments. Oil-based needle coke producers are operating at high capacity, with some manufacturers aggressively purchasing oil slurry. Oil slurry prices are expected to remain high, adding to cost pressures for oil-based needle coke producers.
On the downstream front, graphite electrode prices have slightly decreased this month. The market is in its seasonal off-season in December, with mainstream large manufacturers primarily purchasing raw materials based on rigid demand. It is anticipated that there will be a wave of pre-holiday stockpiling before the Spring Festival, and the graphite electrode market sentiment will remain moderate in the short term. Anode material producers continue to actively procure raw materials this month, although some have slightly slowed their purchases. Faced with high raw material prices, they have adopted a strategy of making small, frequent purchases. However, the lithium battery market is expected to remain robust during the off-season, and demand for raw materials from anode material producers will remain strong in January.
In summary, the needle coke market has performed well this month, with strong demand from the anode material industry—the primary downstream sector. Rising raw material prices have increased cost pressures, while industry inventories remain low. Needle coke producers are largely holding firm on prices. Given the current trend of rising costs, there is potential for needle coke prices to increase in the future.
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