Lithium battery anode material prices at risk of further drop amid fierce competition

For the week ending November 2, anode material prices stayed low. Following a decrease, low-sulphur petroleum coke prices have levelled off. The market price for oil-based needle coke remained stable, given ample supply and weak downstream demand. Graphitisation outsourcing providers, with quotes close to costs, are inclined to maintain current prices, resulting in stable low-end graphitisation prices. Nevertheless, as anode manufacturers integrate more and the graphitisation capacity increases, the processing fee is at risk of dropping. Supply and demand dynamics showed that anode capacity is adequate, with no significant uptick in the EV and energy storage sectors. Intensified market competition and a persistent drive to cut costs among manufacturers suggest a potential further decrease in anode material prices.