negotiations, page-13

the never ending positives for graphite.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110209D09JFN06.htm

Showa Denko To Bump Up U.S. Graphite Electrode Capacity 70%TOKYO (Nikkei)--Showa Denko KK (4004) said Wednesday that it will spend some 25 billion yen at a U.S. plant to expand graphite electrode production capacity around 70% to cope with growing demand.

The capacity at its U.S. production base, Showa Denko Carbon Inc., stands at 45,000 tons a year and will be increased to 75,000 tons by the end of 2013. Combined with its domestic graphite electrode plant in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, Showa Denko's total production capacity will grow roughly 30% to an annual 135,000 tons.

Graphite electrodes are used to melt the steel scrap when making steel in electric furnaces. To improve the efficiency of the furnaces, manufacturers have been increasing the diameter of the electrodes. Showa Denko boasts a 40% global market share for those with 30-inch diameters and up. And it is installing new equipment at the U.S. plant to make 30- and 32-inch versions.

Showa Denko anticipates growing demand for graphite electrodes as steelmakers lift output of electric furnace steel, which uses recycled steel, in the face of booming emerging-market economies and lofty resource prices.

(The Nikkei Feb. 10 morning edition)