SHANGHAI, Apr 20 (SMM)—Prebaked anode prices were largely stable last week. Production in Shandong and Henan is picking up as environmental production restrictions are being gradually loosened, and the impact on supply will be mainly reflected in May. 

On the raw material end, prices of petroleum coke in north-west China rose slightly on tight supply, and prices offered by local refineries in Shandong also inched higher. As of April 16, prices of medium-sulphur petroleum coke in Shandong were 2,000-2,100 yuan/mt amid smooth sales. Prices of coal tar pitch dropped slightly. Prices of modified coal tar pitch in Shandong remained high at 3,900-4,000 yuan/mt.

Prebaked anode prices are expected to remain largely stable in the short term. Supply tightness will ease in the medium-to-long term due to increased supply in the north and south-west. 

New capacity:

Yunnan Sunstone Yunlv Carbon Materials put roasting furnaces into operation last week, paving way for the commissioning of the first phase (600,000 mt/year capacity) of its 900,000 mt/year prebaked anode project.  

Guizhou Luxing Carbon’s 600,000 mt/year prebaked anode project is under construction, of which 300,000 mt/year is scheduled for commissioning in May.

Sunstone Guangyuan plans to build a 350,000 mt/year carbon project.

Tianshan Aluminium Nanjiang Carbon plans to put its 300,000 mt/year carbon project into operation in April.