The global graphite electrodes demand that has increased dramatically in last one year due to supply-side changes in China has proved to be quite beneficial for GE producing and exporting countries as it has helped the GE manufacturers in these countries to cash on the exports. Let us analyze the export trend of these key GE exporting countries that include India, China, Japan, Russia, European Union, and U.S. during Jan-Oct’18.
India’s GE export rises 6% during Jan-Oct’18
According to India’s customs data, in the first ten months (Jan-Oct) of 2018, India’s electrodes exports have been recorded at 68,517 tonnes a hike of 6% against 64,379 tonnes in Jan-Oct’17.
Although India has stopped exporting graphite electrodes to Iran post U.S. sanctions announced in August this year, in first ten months of 2018, Iran had the highest percentage share in country’s total exports at 13%, 8,965 tonnes followed by Saudi Arabia at 11%, 7,789 tonnes, Turkey at 11%, 7,300 tonnes and U.S. at 10%, 6,884 tonnes.
The country’s graphite electrodes imports in Oct’18 have registered a fall of 33% M-o-M basis at 5,564 tonnes against 8,274 tonnes in Sep’18. Due to sanctions imposed by U.S. on Iran in August this year, India’s exports to the country have reduced dramatically, the impact of which is seen in the country’s October GE export numbers.
In Oct’18, India exported electrodes to countries like South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Qatar. However, if we compare India’s GE exports Y-o-Y basis, the same has surged by 17% against 4,751 tonnes in Oct’17.
Japan’s GE exports surges in Oct’18 by 11% M-o-M
In case of other major GE exporting countries, Japan’s graphite electrodes exports have surged from 8,105 tonnes in Sep’18 to 9,060 tonnes whereas against Oct’17 the country’s GE exports have surged by 11% Y-o-Y basis.
During Jan-Oct’18, Japan’s GE exports have been recorded at 87,616 tonnes, a surge of 8% y-o-y basis with highest exports being made to South Korea at 20,238 tonnes (23%), followed by U.S. at 10,435 tonnes (12%), Taiwan at 6,511 tonnes (7%) and Saudi Arabia at 5,201 tonnes (6%).
Japan has got the presence of two major GE producers which are Showa Denko and Tokai Carbon.
China’s GE export plunges amid EAF growth
In case of China, although country’s customs data for graphite electrodes exports is not available, we have derived the same from GE imports made by various countries from China.
During Jan-Oct’18, China’s GE exports are estimated to be around 198,875 tonnes, a plunge of 21% against 164,978 tonnes in the corresponding period of previous year. It seems that with the growth in EAF (electric furnace) facilities in China, the country’s GE exports have registered a fall this year.
If we analyse the country wise GE exports made by China,the highest exports were made to Iran followed by Russia, Canada, and South Korea. However, as per market sources, China has also dramatically lowered its exports to Iran post-U.S. sanctions announced in the month of Aug’18.
EU’s electrodes exports plunge by 12% during Jan-Oct’18
European Union (EU) is one of the key GE producing and exporting region with the plants of Showa Denko (the company acquired SGL Carbon’s plant in Nov’17), Japan’s Showa Denko, U.S.’s GrafTech and India’s Graphite India.
EU’s graphite electrodes exports have been recorded at 8,200 tonnes in Oct’18 whereas in Oct’17 the same had been recorded at 10,805 tonnes.
During Jan-Oct’18, EU.’s GE exports have been recorded at 85,648 tonnes, a decline of 12% y-o-y basis as the same have been recorded at 97,112 tonnes during Jan-Oct’17.
Russia records growth in GE exports by 24% during Jan-Oct’18
Russia is also one of the key GE producing country with the presence of Energoprom Group with graphite electrodes capacity of 55,000 tonnes.
Russia’s graphite electrodes exports have surged from 4,514 tonnes in Sep’18 to 5,043 tonnes in Oct’18 whereas against Oct’17 the country’s GE exports have surged by 41% Y-o-Y basis.
During Jan-Oct’18, U.S.’s GE exports have been recorded at 39,992 tonnes against 32,352 tonnes in the corresponding quarter of previous year with highest exports being made to U.S. at 14,909 tonnes (37%), followed by Kazakstan at 5,889 tonnes (15%), Belarus at 4,000 tonnes (10%) and Germany at 2,422 tonnes (6%).
U.S. makes highest GE exports to Mexico
U.S. is one of the key GE producing and exporting countries with the presence of GrafTech’s plant which is headquartered in U.S. whereas Japan’s Showa Denko and Tokai Carbon also have their plants in the U.S.
U.S.’s graphite electrodes exports have surged from 1,526 tonnes in Sep’18 to 1,661 tonnes in Oct’18 whereas against Oct’17 the country’s GE exports have plunged by 8% Y-o-Y basis.
During Jan-Oct’18, U.S.’s GE exports have been recorded at 19,003 tonnes, a surge of 15% y-o-y basis with highest exports being made to Mexico at 4,428 tonnes (23%), followed by Canada at 3,888 tonnes (20%), and Spain at 2,366 tonnes (12%).
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