Artificial Graphite Prices Slightly Increased, Cost-Supported Natural Graphite Market Remained Stagnant [SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review]

Published: Jun 4, 2026 17:06
[SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review: Artificial Graphite Prices Slightly Increased, Cost-Supported Natural Graphite Market Remained Stagnant] June 4: This week, some artificial graphite anode materials saw slight price increases. On the cost front, the raw materials currently used by anode manufacturers were mostly high-priced inventory procured earlier.

SMM, June 4:

This week, some artificial graphite anode materials saw slight price increases. Cost side, anode manufacturers were currently using raw materials from earlier high-priced inventory, keeping raw material costs high. Meanwhile, graphitisation tolling services prices rose steadily. These dual factors solidified the cost floor for artificial graphite. Supply and demand side, demand continued to release, and leading anode manufacturers' integrated capacity operated at full utilization. Tight supply pushed some artificial graphite anode material quotes to edge up.

Natural graphite anode market remained stagnant this week. End-use demand showed mediocre performance, with overall market shipments sluggish. Constrained by upstream raw material and processing fee costs, industry profitability had been compressed to low levels. Manufacturers showed limited willingness to cut prices to move goods. Cost side support restrained downside room for prices, and the market remained in a stalemate.

Looking ahead, artificial graphite is expected to retain upward momentum in prices, underpinned by the triple logic of "rising costs, improving demand, and tight supply." Natural graphite anode material prices, constrained by weak supply and demand and prices hugging the cost line, are most likely to continue running at stable prices in the short term.


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

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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Artificial Graphite Prices Slightly Increased, Cost-Supported Natural Graphite Market Remained Stagnant [SMM Lithium Battery Anode Raw Material Market Weekly Review] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)