Xin Lu News: The domestic graphite electrode market has a strong wait-and-see atmosphere this week. Towards the end of the year, the operating rate of steel mills in the northern region has dropped due to seasonal effects, while the output of the southern region continues to be restricted due to power restrictions. The output is below normal. Compared with the same period, the demand for graphite electrodes has declined slightly. It also mainly purchases on demand.
In terms of export: Recently, there have been many overseas inquiries, but most of them are for the first quarter of next year. Therefore, there are not many actual orders, and they are mostly wait-and-see. In the domestic market this week, due to the price decline of some petcoke plants in the early stage, the mentality of some traders fluctuates slightly, while other mainstream graphite electrode manufacturers still focus on stability. Towards the end of the year, some manufacturers withdraw funds and sprint performance. Therefore, it is normal for graphite electrode prices to fluctuate slightly.
As of this Thursday, the mainstream price of UHP450mm specifications with 30% needle coke content on the market is 215,000 to 22,000 yuan/ton, the mainstream price of UHP600mm specifications is 26,000-27,000 yuan/ton, and the price of UHP700mm is 32,000-33,000 yuan/ton.
Raw materials
The ex-factory prices of some petcoke plants were still lowered this week, mainly in Dagang Petrochemical, etc., while prices in Daqing, Fushun and other plants remained stable. As of this Thursday, Fushun Petrochemical 1#A Petroleum Coke was quoted at 5,500 yuan/ton, Jinxi Petrochemical 1#B petroleum coke was quoted at RMB 4,600/ton, maintaining the same level as last weekend. The price of low-sulfur calcined coke fell by RMB 200/ton, and the price was at RMB 7,600-8,000/ton. Domestic needle coke prices continued to remain stable this week. As of this Thursday, the mainstream domestic coal-based and oil-based product market prices were 9500-11,000 yuan/ton.
Steel plant aspect
This week, domestic steel prices generally fluctuate slightly. Scrap prices continue to increase, the cost of electric furnace steel plants continues to rise, and profits are gradually falling. This week, some electric furnaces in East China resumed production after overhaul, but the southwest region was still trapped by the shortage of scrap steel and output level control. Some steel mills in Guizhou even postponed the resumption time. According to statistics from Xin Lu Information, as of this Thursday, the capacity utilization rate of 92 independent electric furnace steel plants was 55.52%, a decrease of 0.93% from last week. The production cost of domestic independent electric furnace steel plants increased by 108 yuan/ton from last week; the average profit dropped by 43 yuan/ton from last week.
Market outlook forecast
Towards the end of the year, some small and medium electrode factories in Hebei, Shanxi and other regions have stopped production, and there are many blank electrodes, especially some small and medium specifications such as 450mm. They will be carried out after a few years. Processing. The overall market supply remained stable. At present, manufacturers have a strong wait-and-see sentiment, and the graphite electrode market generally maintains a trend of small fluctuations in the market outlook.
Post time: Dec-13-2021