What Is The Graphite Rod Price ?

What is graphite rod?

Graphite rod is a rod-like object made of graphite material. Graphite is a kind of crystalline carbon, with good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, chemical stability and lubrication and many other excellent properties. These characteristics give graphite rod extremely wide range of applications. In industrial production, such as electric furnace steelmaking, electrolytic aluminum and other links, graphite rod as an electrode plays a key role. In scientific research laboratories, you can use it for high temperature experiments, electrochemical research and so on. From the appearance, it appears black or gray black, the texture is relatively soft, with a metallic luster.

Graphite rod price components

Raw material cost

The raw materials of it are mainly divided into natural graphite and artificial graphite. The price of natural graphite fluctuates greatly due to different purity and origin. For example, the price of high purity natural flake graphite is usually 500-1300 USD/ton. If the purity of higher, larger scale size of high-quality natural graphite, the price can even exceed 1500 USD/ton. Artificial graphite is made from petroleum coke, asphalt coke and other raw materials through high temperature treatment. The price of petroleum coke is about 280-750 USD/ton, and the price of asphalt coke is roughly 450-850 USD/ton. Coupled with the complex processing process, which makes the cost of artificial graphite high, and the cost of graphite rod with artificial graphite as raw material also increases correspondingly.

Production and processing costs

Its production process includes molding, roasting, graphitization and other links. Extrusion molding equipment cost is relatively low, suitable for the production of conventional specifications of graphite rods, its processing cost is about 140-430 USD/ton. The isostatic molding equipment is expensive and the process is complex, which is suitable for manufacturing high-precision and high-performance graphite rods, and the processing cost can reach 700-1200 USD/ton. The roasting and graphitization process consumes a lot of energy, the graphitization temperature is usually 2000-3000 ℃, and the energy cost accounts for about 20%-30% of the total cost.

Transportation and logistics costs

The graphite rod is large in volume and heavy in weight. And the transportation cost is significantly affected by the transportation mode and distance. Road transportation flexibility is high, but the cost is also high, the transportation cost per kilometer per ton is 3-8 USD. Railway transportation is suitable for long-distance, mass transportation, and the cost per ton per kilometer is about 1-3 USD. Shipping costs are the lowest, at 0.5-1.5 USD per ton per kilometer. The packaging cost during transportation is about 10-30 USD per ton for ordinary packaging, and 40-200 USD for special protective packaging.

Different types of graphite rod prices

The following is a price reference list of different types of graphite rods.

Factors affecting the price of graphite rods

Market supply and demand

When the steel industry is booming, the demand for graphite electrodes in electric furnace steelmaking is greatly increased. And the market is in short supply, the price of graphite rods may rise by 20%-50%. On the contrary, if the market demand is weak, such as the traditional industry is in the off-season, the graphite rod price will fall by 10%-20%.

Product quality and specifications

High purity, high density graphite rod, due to superior performance, it is suitable for high-end fields. The price is 30% -80% higher than ordinary graphite rod. Special specifications of graphite rods, because of the difficulty of production, the price is 2-5 times the conventional specifications.  Such as the diameter of more than 500mm or the length of more than 3000mm.

Brand and after-sales service

Well-known brands of graphite rods, with good quality stability and reputation, the price is usually 10%-30% higher than ordinary brands. Suppliers that provide rapid logistics distribution, high-quality technical support and perfect return and exchange policies will also see their product prices rise to a certain extent.

Price differences in different markets and application scenarios

In the industrial market

Graphite electrodes for electric furnace steelmaking in the metallurgical industry, when purchased in bulk, the price is 2200-4400 USD/ton. Small metallurgical enterprises purchase a small amount, the price may be higher by 10%-15%.

In the chemical industry

The graphite rod used in the chemical industry for electrolytic cell, according to the corrosion resistance and specifications, the price is 1600-4300 USD/ton.

Research and laboratory market

Research and laboratory graphite rod, high purity and dimensional accuracy requirements. If the purity reaches more than 99.99% of the high purity graphite rod, the price of a single 50-80 USD. (The diameter of 10-50mm, the length of 100-500mm.) Specially customized graphite rods, the price may be higher.

Emerging industry market

In the semiconductor industry, used for high-temperature furnaces has high requirements for purity and stability, and the price can reach 2800-4200 USD/ton.

Graphite rod price trend analysis

Historical price review

Over the past decade, its prices have experienced many fluctuations. 2015-2016, due to the slowdown in global economic growth and lack of market demand, its prices fell by about 20%. In 2017-2018, environmental protection policies have become stricter, some small graphite production enterprises have stopped production, supply has decreased. And prices have risen by 30%-50%. In 2019-2020, with the gradual release of new production capacity, prices have fallen back.

Future Price forecast

In the long run, with the advancement of technology, the production efficiency of it will be improved. And the cost is expected to be reduced. However, fluctuations in raw material prices and changes in market supply and demand will still affect prices. It is expected that in the next five years, its overall price will be stable and decline, with a range of 5%-15%. High-end graphite rods are driven by technological innovation and demand from emerging industries, and the price may remain relatively stable.

Buying Suggestions

Procurement timing selection

Pay close attention to market dynamics and avoid buying at peak prices. Use historical price data to make purchases during periods of low prices or when the market is well supplied. If the enterprise has long-term stable demand, it can sign long-term contracts with suppliers to lock in prices. And reduce the risk of price fluctuations.

Supplier selection

Choose reputable graphite suppliers with reliable product quality. Visit the supplier’s production facilities to understand their production capacity and quality control system. Comprehensively consider the supplier’s price, delivery time, after-sales service and other factors. Then choose the most cost-effective supplier, establish long-term stable cooperative relationship.

Conclusion

The price of graphite rod is affected by many factors such as raw materials, processing, transportation costs and market supply and demand. And the differences are obvious in each scenario, the price fluctuates frequently. And there is a downward trend in the future but there is uncertainty. So it is necessary to pay attention to the dynamics and scientific decision-making when purchasing.