Decline in Graphitisation Prices Slowed Down in April, and to Run Stably in May

SHANGHAI, May 22 (SMM) - In April, the monthly average price of graphitisation stood at 10,513 yuan/mt, down 9% MoM. The downstream demand did not improve, but the price decline still slowed down because the prices were approaching the break-even point.

In April, the monthly capacity of independent graphitisation plants stood at 43,600 mt, while the monthly capacity of in-house graphitisation facilities was 142,900 tmt, totalling 186,500 mt. The former is expected to be 43,600 mt in May, and the latter is estimated at 150,200 mt. The total capacity will be 193,800 mt. The operating rates of graphitisation manufacturers continue to decline on unimproved downstream demand and low graphitisation prices, but the production capacity is still growing and the market supply far exceeds the demand.

On the demand side, the anode material manufacturers that carried high semi-finished product inventories focused on consuming their in-plant stocks, cutting the outsourcing demand for graphitisation.

Price forecast: The graphitisation prices are expected to run steadily in May on expanding end demand and sufficient supply.