As of January 24, the average market price of petroleum coke is 1858 RMB/ton, remaining steady compared to the previous working day. Prices in some low-sulfur coke refineries in the northeastern region continue to rise today, with local refinery shipments stabilizing.
In terms of Sinopec, their refinery’s petroleum coke is selling well, with downstream enterprises showing a high level of enthusiasm for receiving goods, and refinery petroleum coke inventories are at low levels. In North China, the shipment of medium and high sulfur petroleum coke is stable, with Daqing and Fushun petrochemicals, subsidiaries of Sinopec in the northeast, increasing their petroleum coke prices by 150 RMB/ton today, while other refineries maintain stable shipments. In the northwest, refinery petroleum coke is temporarily stable today, with downstream aluminum and silicon plants showing moderate demand and no significant change in market trading.
Local refineries have seen relatively stable overall shipments in the petroleum coke market today, with a more pronounced downward trend in coke prices. Downstream demand is not as strong as before, but the current market supply remains relatively stable. Some refineries have lowered coke prices to ensure normal shipments, ranging from 10 to 100 RMB/ton, while a few others with good shipment conditions have raised prices by 30 to 100 RMB/ton.
Regarding imported coke, the market for imported sponge coke is still acceptable, with traders actively shipping, and port sponge coke inventories continuing to decline. The shot coke market has stable demand, and prices are transitioning steadily.
Supply-wise, as of January 24, there are a total of 8 routine maintenance shutdowns of coking units nationwide. The daily production of petroleum coke in the country is 87,918 tons, with a coking operating rate of 69.33%, a decrease of 0.04% compared to the previous working day.
In terms of demand, downstream carbon enterprises for aluminum still have procurement demand for petroleum coke. Overall, the inquiry and order volumes in the negative electrode materials market are declining, and companies have a relatively low willingness to produce. Demand for graphite electrodes downstream is weak, with limited market support and overall stable operation. The silicon carbide industry and the southern fuel market still have demand for high-sulfur shot coke.
The overall shipment of the petroleum coke market is relatively stable. Currently, refinery supply is stable, and although there is still procurement demand downstream, the overall market support is limited. Therefore, it is expected that the price of petroleum coke will remain stable tomorrow.
