(1) Technical barriers
The continuous scaling up of electric furnace steelmaking has made the difficulty of smelting technology continuously increase with the increase of uncontrollable factors in the production process, and the uncontrollable factors of graphite electrodes in this process have also increased accordingly. Therefore, the technical requirements for graphite electrodes continue to increase with the development of electric furnace steelmaking scaling up. With the increase of electric furnace power, the electromagnetic force inside the furnace increases, which may cause severe vibration of graphite electrodes. Under severe vibration, the probability of electrode breakage increases, and the requirements for the physical and chemical properties of graphite electrodes are also constantly increasing.
(2) Customer barriers
Graphite electrodes are mainly used in downstream electric arc furnace steelmaking. Domestic electric arc furnace steelmaking producers are mainly state-owned enterprises, and the selection of suppliers is relatively strict. Both parties will have a long-term communication and adjustment on product sales and use, forming a relatively stable cooperative relationship. The conversion cost for customers is high, and they will not easily change suppliers, New graphite electrode manufacturers need at least one year to enter the supply chain system of downstream high-quality customers, which poses a certain customer resource barrier for new graphite electrode manufacturers.
(3) Financial barriers
The production cycle of graphite electrodes is relatively long, with high raw material costs, labor costs, and equipment costs. The production of graphite electrodes requires a large amount of capital investment and strong capital turnover ability. Financial strength is one of the thresholds for new participants to enter the graphite electrode production industry.
Post time: 3月-20-2024
