ICCSINO: This month, the needle coke market performed moderately, with downstream buyers showing some restocking demand, primarily driven by rigid needs. Inventories declined but rebounded towards month-end as needle coke producers resumed operations, lifting operating rates. Manufacturers offered discounts on orders, with raw needle coke prices slightly reduced, while domestic calcined needle coke supply remained tight, prompting some firms to raise prices. Specifically, coal-based needle coke was priced at 7,500-8,500 yuan/ton, and oil-based needle coke at 7,400-8,700 yuan/ton. Raw coke prices for both coal and oil-based types ranged from 4,700-6,300 yuan/ton.
In the import-export market, Japanese coal-based needle coke was priced at $800/ton, while South Korean prices dropped to $800/ton in August. For oil-based needle coke, Japanese prices stood at $1,100-1,300/ton, and British calcined coke prices fell by $25/ton to $925-1,125/ton, with anode coke prices remaining stable at $650-800/ton.
Regarding raw materials, coal tar pitch prices initially declined before rebounding, with modified coal tar pitch reaching 3,900-3,950 yuan/ton and medium-temperature pitch at 3,850-4,080 yuan/ton by month-end. Price fluctuations were mainly influenced by raw material costs, with coal tar price increases in late July driving up coal tar pitch prices. Operating rates at coal tar pitch producers were high in early July but declined later, reducing supply and contributing to price hikes. Low-sulfur oil slurry prices generally decreased this month due to weak demand and sales in early July, settling at 3,850-3,900 yuan/ton by month-end. Needle coke producers purchased cautiously, but with operating rates expected to rise in August, low-sulfur oil slurry prices are projected to stabilize.
Downstream, graphite electrode prices increased, with mainstream UHP600 electrodes priced at 17,000-17,500 yuan/ton. Major producers maintained stable operations, ensuring a steady market supply, while smaller producers mostly operated at minimal capacity, keeping raw material demand steady. In the anode material sector, operating rates at anode material enterprises rose slightly this month, with some firms conducting concentrated raw material restocking. Moving forward, anode material producers are expected to continue restocking based on demand, particularly in the energy storage segment, where some companies still have procurement needs.
Overall, needle coke sales were decent this month, with discounts on raw coke and tight calcined coke supply prompting some price increases. With operating rates set to rise in August but costs remaining high, needle coke producers are expected to maintain firm pricing.
