Graphite electrode, a high-temperature resistant graphite material with excellent properties of conducting current and generating electricity, is mainly used in the production of steel.
Against the backdrop, graphite electrodes have not been idle this year. The average market price of mainstream graphite electrodes is 21393 yuan/ton, an increase of 51% compared to the same period last year.
And friends who are interested in the power industry know that under the iron fist of temple energy consumption control, industries with high energy consumption and high pollution have stopped production and work one after another. As a dual high enterprise, steel mills must also play a leading role, especially in Hebei, a major steel province. In theory, with less steel production, the demand for graphite electrodes will also decrease. As you can imagine with your fingertips, the price of graphite electrodes will also decrease.
Can we say that the principles of economics need to be revised here? Don’t get excited, it’s not necessary. Regarding the analysis of this wave of market trends, let’s listen to roasted buns and talk slowly.
1、 Without graphite electrodes, the electric arc furnace really can’t function properly
To gain a more detailed understanding of graphite electrodes, it is necessary to take a closer look at the industry chain. Looking upstream, graphite electrodes need to be prepared from two chemical products, petroleum coke and needle coke, through 11 complex processes. One ton of graphite electrode requires 1.02 tons of raw materials, with a production cycle of over 50 days and a material cost accounting for over 65%.
As mentioned earlier, graphite electrodes can conduct electricity. According to the allowed current density, graphite electrodes can be further divided into three types: ordinary power, high power, and ultra-high power graphite electrodes. Different types of electrodes have different physicochemical properties.
Looking down, graphite electrodes are used in electric arc steelmaking furnaces, industrial silicon production, and yellow phosphorus production. The amount of steel used generally accounts for about 80% of the total amount of graphite electrodes used, and recent prices have mainly risen due to the steel industry. In recent years, with the increasing number of ultra-high power arc furnace steels with better cost-effectiveness, graphite electrodes have been forced to develop towards ultra-high power, with superior performance compared to ordinary power. Whoever masters the technology of ultra-high power graphite electrodes will lead the future market. At present, the top ten global manufacturers of ultra-high power graphite electrodes account for approximately 44.4% of the total production of ultra-high power graphite electrodes worldwide, with a relatively concentrated market. The main leading country is still Japan.
To better understand the following text, here is a brief introduction to the methods of steelmaking. Generally speaking, steelmaking can be divided into two types: blast furnace and electric arc furnace. The former smelts iron ore, coke, etc. into pig iron, and then blows a large amount of oxygen into the converter to decarbonize the molten iron and make steel. Another approach is to utilize the excellent conductivity and thermal conductivity of graphite electrodes, using this high-temperature arc to melt scrap steel and ultimately turn it into steel.
So, graphite electrodes are crucial for arc furnace steelmaking.
Post time: 3月-20-2024
