SMM Comment on Anode Material Prices

SHANGHAI, Feb 17 (SMM) - In terms of raw materials, the prices of low-sulphur coke edged higher. Needle coke prices were temporarily stable as downstream companies preferred petroleum coke. Outsourcing orders for graphitisation have not fully recovered after the Chinese New Year. The prices further dropped amid overcapacity, quotes offered by some manufacturers even fell to below 10,000 yuan/mt.

On the demand side, new orders from the power battery companies were relatively average, and most of the new anode material demand came from energy storage market. On the supply side, most anode material manufacturers have not fully reached the designed capacity as regrading to orders and inventory post the Chinese New Year. At present, the cost of anode material continues to decline. The recovery of battery cell orders placed by downstream companies is not as good as expected, and the downstream enterprises are eager to cut cost. It is expected that the prices of anode materials will fall further in the near future.

As of February 17, SMM artificial graphite (high-end) prices moved between 67,000-74,000 yuan/mt, with the average price down 1,500 yuan/mt WoW. The SMM artificial graphite (mid-end) prices stood at 45,000-52,000 yuan/mt, with the average price down 1,300 yuan/mt WoW. SMM natural graphite (high-end) prices were 55,800-66,000 yuan/mt, and the average price was flat from last week. SMM natural graphite (mid-end) prices moved between 38,800-45,000 yuan/mt, and the average price was flat from last week.