Decline in artificial graphite anode slows down, while natural graphite anode remains stable [SMM Weekly Review of Lithium Battery Anode Market]

SMM June 19 News:

Driven by the combined effects of weakening cost support and supply-demand imbalance, prices of some artificial graphite anode materials declined this week. Cost side, the prices of upstream raw materials have been on a downward trend for two consecutive months, providing a cost basis for the decline in product prices. Demand side, affected by the high inventory of finished vehicles, the production pace of NEVs has slowed down, putting downward pressure on the demand for power battery cells. However, the demand in the small-scale ESS market has recovered, which has, to some extent, offset the decline in end-user demand for battery cells. This change in demand structure has been transmitted upstream, maintaining stable demand for anode materials from the battery cell side. Meanwhile, the supply side remains abundant. Therefore, the prices of artificial graphite anode materials continued to decline this week. Looking ahead, although overcapacity is unlikely to improve in the short term, supported by the potential rebound in cost side due to geopolitical issues, anode material prices are expected to remain stable.

This week, amidst no significant fluctuations in the cost and supply sides of natural graphite, the price of natural graphite anode materials remained stable. Looking ahead, with the continuous technological updates and iterations of artificial graphite anode materials, the gap in core performance indicators with natural graphite anode materials is gradually narrowing. Leveraging the cost-effectiveness advantage brought about by technological breakthroughs, artificial graphite anode materials have begun to seize market share, with some downstream customers showing a clear shift in demand, placing natural graphite anode materials under significant competitive pressure. It is expected that in the future, the prices of natural graphite anode materials will face long-term downward pressure.

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