Artificial Graphite Runs Tight, Natural Graphite Stagnant at Low Levels [SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review]

Published: Aug 13, 2026 17:54

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[SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review: Artificial Graphite Runs Tight, Natural Graphite Remains in Low-Level Stalemate] August 13: This week, artificial graphite held up well, while natural graphite consolidated on a weak note.

SMM, August 13:

This week, artificial graphite anode material prices in China remained stable. From a supply-demand fundamentals perspective, the market continued to show the relatively tight supply-demand pattern seen earlier, with no significant signs of structural loosening or further tightening, and remained in an overall tight balance. Coke feedstock prices remained stable this week; however, due to production lags, cost pressure from earlier raw material price increases is being gradually released this month and continues to lend strong support to the cost side of anode materials. Against this backdrop, anode producers showed a relatively strong willingness to push prices higher. However, after completing a round of modest price increases in the first ten days of this month, prices have now entered a stable digestion phase, and the impetus for another near-term price adjustment has weakened. For natural graphite, although end-use demand remains sluggish, prices have long been trading sideways around the cost line, and the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers has entered a stalemate, leaving limited further downside room.

Looking ahead, artificial graphite prices may have room to rise further, supported by improving demand expectations and a continuously tightening supply pattern. In contrast, natural graphite, lacking sufficient end-use demand momentum, is likely to consolidate mainly on a weak note in the short term; a market breakout still needs new catalysts to emerge.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Wang Cong 021-51666838

Ma Rui 021-51595780

Feng Disheng 021-51666714

Lyu Yanlin 021-20707875

Zhang Haohan 021-51666752

Wang Zihan 021-51666914

Wang Jie 021-51595902

Chen Bolin 021-51666836

Xu Yang 021-51666760

Xu Mengqi 021-20707868

Hu Xuejie 021-20707858

Yang Le 021-51595898

Wang Zhaoyu 021-51666827

Li Yisha 021-51666730

Huang Chencong 021-51595860

Lin Ziya 021-5166-6902

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

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