Silica: This week, silica market prices remained stable overall. On the supply side, output at some regional mines declined due to seasonal factors, but overall silica supply was ample. Additionally, high-grade quality ore sources were concentrated, creating a clear divergence between high- and low-grade material. On the demand side, weak silicon metal prices suppressed purchasing sentiment. Production resumptions in the Southwest only slightly lifted rigid demand. Silicon plants strictly controlled costs, bought small lots at low prices, and the sentiment to push for lower prices remained strong.
Silicon coal: This week, the silicon coal market showed regional divergence. Weekly transaction prices for Xinjiang binding silicon coal dropped by 50 yuan/mt to 1,300-1,400 yuan/mt, while prices in other regions held steady. On the supply side, some coal processing plants continued to produce based on sales according to orders and had no inventory pressure, while some under inventory pressure sold at a discount to destock. On the demand side, production resumptions at silicon plants in the Southwest brought a slight increase in rigid demand, but downstream buyers strictly controlled costs and continued to push for lower prices, with purchases made based on monthly rigid demand.
Petroleum coke: This week, trading in China’s petroleum coke market showed slight divergence, with the low-sulphur petroleum coke market performing well, while the medium- and high-sulphur petroleum coke market came under some pressure. Port spot cargoes of Formosa Plastics petroleum coke saw continuous price increases due to improved specifications, with mainstream prices rising to 1,450-1,500 yuan/mt. According to SMM data, as of Thursday this week, the 4# petroleum coke price index in Shandong stood at 2,003.69 yuan/mt, down 0.74% from last Thursday. On the supply side, units that were under maintenance earlier gradually resumed production this week, and coking operating rates recovered slowly. On the demand side, improved purchasing enthusiasm in the downstream anode materials market supported firm low-sulphur petroleum coke prices, while the carbon used in aluminum production market maintained a wait-and-see sentiment, with insufficient purchase willingness for high-priced products hindering the pass-through of price hikes. Compounded by global instability, continuously climbing crude oil prices provided cost support. In the short term, petroleum coke prices are expected to consolidate, with divergence across specifications persisting.
Electrode used in silicon production: This week, electrode prices stayed at low levels. Recently, operating rates of downstream silicon plants showed regional divergence, but overall, driven by increased output in the Southwest and Inner Mongolia, production improved, leading to a modest recovery in electrode rigid demand and slightly easing inventory pressure on producers. However, the overall silicon metal market remained weak, with cautious downstream purchasing. As electrode supply was ample, there was no support for price increases, and prices are expected to consolidate at lows in the near term.
For more detailed market information and dynamics, or if you have other inquiries, please call 021-20707889.
> View SMM Silicon Product Prices
![[SMM Analysis] MoM Surge in Silicon-Manganese Exports Offers Only Marginal Support Amid Thin Absolute Volume](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/teIej20251217171724.jpeg)
