- Price hike follows rising raw material, energy, logistics costs
- GrafTech estimated to hold 25-30% share in ex-China markets
US-based GrafTech International will increase graphite electrode prices by $600-1,200/tonne (t), depending on region, effective immediately, as per an announcement made on 26 March. The company attributed the decision to rising input costs, including oil‑based raw materials, energy and logistics, brought on by the US-Iran conflict.
The company stated that over the past three years, prices of graphite electrodes had declined significantly in each of its key markets and were below sustainable levels. Despite internal efforts to streamline operations and reduce structural costs, several external pressures made the current pricing non-viable.
“After a prolonged period of pricing pressure, coupled with rising input costs, a reset in graphite electrode pricing is necessary,” said Timothy Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer and President. “While we have taken significant actions to improve our cost structure, this price increase supports reliable supply for our customers, the long-term sustainability of our operations and the creation of shareholder value.”
This move may push other global producers to raise graphite electrode prices, given that GrafTech holds a 25-30% share in global markets outside of China (as per a CNBC TV18 report).
Notably, GrafTech International Ltd. operates low-cost, ultra-high power graphite electrode manufacturing facilities and is the only major player vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke.
Earlier, in its earnings call for Q4CY’25, GrafTech had expressed concern over a “distorted” global graphite electrode market, warning that “irrational” pricing and massive overcapacity in China and India were threatening the industry’s long-term viability. Despite a slight increase in demand projected for 2026, the company said that cheap exports from Asia continue to destabilise the supply chain.
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