Lithium battery anode materials prices to extend declines amid bleak market outlook

For the week ending December 14, anode material prices saw a slight drop. Low-sulphur petroleum coke prices remained unchanged, though weak demand towards year-end could lead to price drops. Prices for oil-based needle coke stayed stable. Amidst ongoing bidding by large downstream firms, some manufacturers previously halting production now offer lower bids to resume operations. Despite power rationing-induced production constraints in a key graphitisation region, prices for outsourced graphitisation services were temporarily unchanged amid weak demand. However, future power policy shifts warrant attention. Year-end typically brings reduced downstream demand, with anode companies prioritising inventory reduction. With increasing capacity, technological advancements lowering costs, and competitive bidding, a further decline in anode prices is expected.