Graphite electrode producers in China hold pessimistic attitudes
2024-03-27 08:29:16 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 27 Mar 24 - Over the past two weeks, the purchase demand for graphite electrode in China remained weak and producers remain pessimistic towards the market now. Current mainstream prices for HP graphite electrode D500mm in China keep at RMB14,000-14,500/t (USD1,939-2,009/t) EXW, down by RMB200/t (USD28/t) from late last week and producers predict lower prices in the coming week.
A producer of graphite electrode in Liaoning reported that they offered RMB14,500/t (USD2,009/t) EXW for HP graphite electrode D500mm one week ago and now quotes RMB14,000/t (USD1,939/t) EXW as the best price. "We sold around 100t at RMB14,000/t (USD1,939/t) EXW one month ago and then buyers refused to accept RMB14,500/t (USD2,009/t) EXW over the past month, so we cut the price now," said the source, who predicted that mainstream prices would slip further in the coming two weeks for the weak demand.
Based on the production capacity of 40,000tpy, they remain out of production in March and do not plan to resume production in 2024, as the demand would remain sluggish. The plant was out of production in 2023 and holds around 6,000t in stock now.
A Hebei-based graphite electrode producer confirmed that they remain out of production in March due to the sluggish demand and sold around 90t of RP graphite electrode D500mm at around RMB12,700/t (USD1,759/t) Ex-VAT EXW on Tuesday. "We now maintain the same price but are not confident in the coming two weeks," said the source, who keeps around 200t in stock now.
The producer, with the annual production capacity of 1,500t, shut down production two months ago and produced around 300t in 2023. They might not restart in the H1 this year.
A producer of graphite electrode in Liaoning reported that they offered RMB14,500/t (USD2,009/t) EXW for HP graphite electrode D500mm one week ago and now quotes RMB14,000/t (USD1,939/t) EXW as the best price. "We sold around 100t at RMB14,000/t (USD1,939/t) EXW one month ago and then buyers refused to accept RMB14,500/t (USD2,009/t) EXW over the past month, so we cut the price now," said the source, who predicted that mainstream prices would slip further in the coming two weeks for the weak demand.
Based on the production capacity of 40,000tpy, they remain out of production in March and do not plan to resume production in 2024, as the demand would remain sluggish. The plant was out of production in 2023 and holds around 6,000t in stock now.
A Hebei-based graphite electrode producer confirmed that they remain out of production in March due to the sluggish demand and sold around 90t of RP graphite electrode D500mm at around RMB12,700/t (USD1,759/t) Ex-VAT EXW on Tuesday. "We now maintain the same price but are not confident in the coming two weeks," said the source, who keeps around 200t in stock now.
The producer, with the annual production capacity of 1,500t, shut down production two months ago and produced around 300t in 2023. They might not restart in the H1 this year.
