GRAPHITE PRICES

Chinese graphite prices rebound on output cut

"Prices for some graphite grades in China have rebounded since the country's export tax was cancelled in January.

Spot prices for some Chinese graphite grades have increased this week as producers raised their offers amid environmental restrictions on output in China.

"Unlike before, producers were not united; they were fighting in price wars for years," one producer in Shandong told IM.

"This time, producers in Shandong – even in Heilongjiang province – they have become united and all announce price increases together," he added.

The environmental inspection team has moved into graphite producing regions in Shandong and Heilongjiang provinces, and strict checks have reduced output, especially in higher-grade products which required processing in acid.

"Especially high carbon products using acid, which might cause pollution, the production is limited. But basically all products have price increases, plus mesh size, middle or high carbon products," the producer said."

Source: Industrial Minerals