The limited supply of graphite electrodes and the price hikes caused by limited electrode supply are weakening the growth of Iran’s steel industry, according to Iranian non-governmental newspaper the Financial Tribune.
According to the Financial Tribune, Iranian steelmaker Khorasan Steel’s managing director Hossein Ahmadi has stated that Iran's steel production is dependent on imported graphite electrodes, mostly from India and China, but imports are under pressure now as a result of a shortage in the international market. The Khorasan Steel executive also noted that the increasing steel production in certain global markets has exacerbated the situation by making supply tighter, adding that the graphite electrode shortage is expected to continue until mid-2018. Mr. Ahmadi went on to comment that the graphite electrode supply has also been affected by environmental concerns in China. Electrode plants have been forced by the Chinese government to cut production in order to reduce air pollution, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ahmadi also stated that several Iranian companies have set up a joint venture to build Iran’s first graphite electrode manufacturing plant in light of the current shortage. He added that the plant is expected to be launched within one or two years, as reported by the Financial Tribune.