Recently, SteelOrbis reported on the softening of graphite electrode prices in China through the early part of the year and into August.
According to a graphite electrode report from IC Carbon, domestic graphite electrode prices are showing a rebound in September. Monthly average prices have increased for UHP (ultra-high powered) 600 graphite grade from RMB 80,000/mt ($11,713/mt) in August to RMB 100,000/mt ($14,556/mt), prices ex-warehouse. HP (high-powered) 450 graphite grade has also trended up from RMB 46,000/mt ($6,735/mt) in August to RMB 51,000/mt ($7,424/mt) monthly average price in September, prices ex-warehouse.
The change in trend is attributed to improved domestic sales in September for fourth quarter deliveries. Increased prices domestically are reportedly also being reflected in higher export market offers. The increase in the export market is reportedly also supported by higher contractual graphite electrode prices that are expected in countries such as South Korea for the first and second quarters in 2019. Higher demand for graphite electrodes is also expected in the export market as a result of India’s recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance that it has removed anti-dumping duties initially established in February 2015 on Chinese graphite electrodes.
USD = RMB 6.83 (Aug 31)
USD = RMB 6.87 (Sep 11)