October needle coke sales are flat, prices linger low: monthly report

ICC News: China's needle coke market didn't see much improvement in October. Producers generally hold a insipid view on downstream demand.
Specifically, Baosteel Chemical mainly focuses on pitch coke production right now, and is set to resume needle coke production in late November, with market price ranging from 3,300-3,500 yuan/mt. Kaifeng Carbon Anshan Thermo-Energy New Material's coal needle coke production is in order during this week; it has a monthly sales of 3000 tonnes, with prices prevailingly standing at 4,000 yuan/mt.
Jiangsu C-Chem's needle coke production remained at halt for maintenance. Right now prices for needle coke stocks in trail use are 2,500 yuan/mt.
Jinzhou Petrochemical's petroleum-based needle coke production was normal this month, although the operating ratio has dropped to around 70% due to sluggish downstream demand; prices for mainstream needle coke also decreased to 3000-3300 yuan/ tonne.
On overseas market, Japan's  M-grade PCJ Petrocokes petroleum needle coke is $550/ton and that of X-grade is $650/ton.
Philip 66's HNP petroleum needle coke HNP is $500/ton, and that of HSP grade is $550/ton (both of which are ex-warehouse price in bonded area); downstream anode materials enterprises are actively taking deliveries and it is estimated needle coke shipment to anode materials enterprises will reach 30,000 tonnes.
On coal-based needle coke side, price from C-Chem, Mitsubishi Chemical and PMC are all $450 per ton.
On the downstream front,
China's graphite electrode market overall maintained stable. With it already nearing low levels, prices didn't see major adjustments.
Both production and shipment at major enterprises was stable, and they carry out production according to orders. When there are more orders, there are more factory activities; while factory activities keep at low levels when the number of orders is small.
Despite the signs of recovery emerged on downstream steel market this month, the demand for graphite electrode remained flat.
As of now, prevailing prices of 300-600 mm RP graphite electrode in China are 7,000-8,500 yuan/ton, HP products are 9,000-11,000 yuan/mt, and UHP products are 12,000-16,000 yuan/ton.
Domestic anode material market performance overall was sound in October. Enterprises saw increase in shipment in generally, especially manufactures of certain size. Product prices were relatively stable.
At present, prices for mainstream low-end anode materials in the country are offered at around 18,000-22,000 yuan/mt, medium-grade products around 45,000-55,000 yuan/mt, and high-end products around 80,000-100,000 yuan/mt.
"Golden September and Silver October" is also true in the lithium industry. The sector enters traditional peak season for production, which raises demand for various materials for battery manufacturing. There is one anode material manufacturer that shipped over 1000 tonnes goods in October, more than doubling the figure from one year earlier, according to information compiled by ICC News.
The company mainly supplies to power battery market. Its output in the upcoming two months will continue to rise.