Shanghai Baosteel Chemical resumed operation on Aug 25, and made shipping  later August. It's set to produce 5,000 tons needle coke to the market at a prevailing price of 5,000 yuan/mt.

By getting Baosteel Group to purchase and use graphite electrode made of Baosteel Chemical's needle coke, it greatly boosts Baosteel Chemical's sales as it prompts major electrode makers in the country to purchase its needle coke.

Jinzhou Petrochemical's monthly output is 2,600--2,800 tons at a price of 7,000 yuan/mt.

Statistics show China's petroleum-based needle coke imports totaled 2,395 tons in August, up 38% year-on-year.

Major import source is British and Japan.

China's coal-based needle coke (pitch coke) imports was 2,279 tons, slightly down from the same time last year.

Major import source is Japan.