The market for columnar carbon additives remains stable in the short term

According to recent market research, the prevailing market prices for prismatic carbon additives with C ≥ 95% and S ≤ 0.1% remain stable at 2,550–2,650 yuan per metric ton (ex-factory, tax included); there is a premium for low-sulfur grades, with a price difference of approximately 200 yuan per metric ton between S ≤ 0.1% and S ≤ 0.2%. In comparison, the price of prismatic carbon additives is lower than that of graphitized and semi-graphitized carbon additives.

On the raw material side, prices for petroleum coke and calcined coke are stable with a slight upward trend, providing cost support for finished products; however, trading activity in the calcined coke market is showing signs of slowing down. Overall, downstream steel mills are operating at low capacity utilization rates and are limiting purchases to essential needs, with no concentrated restocking taking place. Nevertheless, many steel mills continue to procure through tenders, indicating that rigid demand remains, and supplies of fine-grained specifications are tight.

In the short term, the market is balanced between cost support and relatively weak demand. Prices for prismatic carbon additives are expected to consolidate within a narrow range, with insufficient momentum for significant fluctuations.

From a medium- to long-term perspective, the rising share of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel is driving demand for high-end carbon additives, and prices are expected to see a moderate upward trend in the fourth quarter as winter stockpiling begins. Moving forward, key factors to monitor include petroleum coke prices, steel mill operating rates, and restocking patterns.