China UHP graphite electrode prices may strengthen further

Chinese prices of ultra-high-power (UHP) graphite electrodes generally tracked higher nationwide last month and are likely to continue strengthening in November, supported mainly by high production costs the makers are incurring, Mysteel's recent report on the market suggests.

During October, Chinese graphite electrode producers proactively initiated two rounds of price hikes that totalled Yuan 1,500/tonne ($209/t), and although their customers did not fully accept the price increases, they were willing to lift their purchase prices by Yuan 500-800/t, Mysteel Global learned. On October 31, for example, the composite