Artificial Graphite Prices Steadily Rise Driven by Both Cost and Supply-Demand Dynamics [SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review]

SMM May 14:

This week, artificial graphite anode material prices showed a steady upward trend, primarily driven by the dual forces of cost support and tight supply-demand conditions. Supply and demand side, effective capacity in the industry remained tight, with no new capacity released for the time being, making it difficult to fill the market supply gap; cost side, due to the transmission effect of sustained coke price increases in the earlier period, cost pressure on anode producers continued to climb. As the production lag effect gradually faded, previously accumulated cost pressure has been progressively passed on to downstream, further pushing prices upward. Looking ahead, under the dual logic of cost support and demand boost, artificial graphite anode material prices are expected to remain firm and sustained.

This week, natural graphite anode material prices remained stable with no notable fluctuations. Although the market supply side presented a relatively loose landscape with certain price-cut expectations, upstream raw material prices continued to fluctuate at highs, effectively offsetting the downward price pressure brought by ample supply, ultimately keeping market prices stable. Going forward, amid the interplay between rigid cost support and relatively loose supply, prices are highly likely to remain stable in the short term, with little chance of wild swings.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Wang Cong 021-51666838

Ma Rui 021-51595780

Feng Disheng 021-51666714

Lv Yanlin 021-20707875

Zhou Zhicheng 021-51666711

Zhang Haohan 021-51666752

Wang Zihan 021-51666914

Wang Jie 021-51595902

Xu Yang 021-51666760

Xu Mengqi 021-20707868

Hu Xuejie 021-20707858