GLOBAL GRAPHITE SNAPSHOT: Upward cost pressures support flake markets

摘要

Prices for the larger flake graphite grades - graphite flake, 94% C, +100 mesh, fob China (+194) and graphite flake, 94% C, +80% mesh, fob China (+894) - moved up amid increasing heating costs in the major production hub of Jixi city, Heilongjiang province, decreased inventory in the main trading hub of Qingdao city, and the stronger Chinese yuan. The yuan was trading at 6.61 yuan to $1 on November 12, compared with 6.72 yuan to $1 on October 29, according to currency exchange website Oanda.com. The small flake graphite market stayed flat despite the fluctuation in the currency exchange rate amid high inventory and slow demand from downstream markets. The spherical graphite market was quiet, with demand expected to be stable for the rest of the year.