Monthly Review: Needle Coke Prices Rise Across the Board in February

ICCSINO: This month, the needle coke market saw robust demand, with post-holiday inventory levels at needle coke enterprises remaining low and manufacturers receiving full order books. As costs continued to rise, needle coke enterprises raised their market quotes. Specifically, coal-based needle coke prices ranged from 7,500 to 8,500 yuan/ton, while oil-based needle coke prices stood at 7,400 to 8,700 yuan/ton. Mainstream prices for coal- and oil-based green coke ranged from 5,350 to 6,500 yuan/ton.

In the import-export market, Japanese coal-based needle coke was priced at 830/ton,whileKoreancoal−basedneedlecokeroseto840/ton. For oil-based needle coke, Japanese prices ranged from 1,100to1,300/ton, British calcined coke from 925to1,125/ton, and anode-grade coke remained stable at 650to800/ton.

Regarding raw materials, coal tar pitch prices initially rose and then stabilized this week, with modified pitch priced at 4,700-4,750 yuan/ton and medium-temperature pitch at 4,650-5,050 yuan/ton by month-end. Post-holiday high-temperature coal tar oil prices continued to climb, with steady downstream demand, suggesting further price increases for coal tar pitch in the coming market. Low-sulfur oil slurry prices also continued to rise this week, supported by a sharp post-holiday increase in crude oil prices, adding to cost pressures for oil-based needle coke.

In downstream sectors, graphite electrode prices remained relatively stable this month, with overall low operating rates and raw material procurement driven primarily by rigid demand. Starting in March, as the operating rates of electric arc furnace steel enterprises recover, demand across the graphite electrode supply chain is expected to increase, though short-term improvements remain unlikely. Regarding anode materials, overall operating rates remained high this month, with strong enthusiasm for raw material procurement. Anode material operating rates are set to rebound in March, with expectations of continued growth in raw material demand for both power and energy storage applications.

Overall, the needle coke market experienced strong trading activity this month, with prices gradually rising amid increasing costs and promising downstream demand. It is anticipated that needle coke market prices will continue to increase in the short term.