Graphite Electrodes

Graphite electrodes are cylindrical rods made from high-quality graphite used to conduct electricity in electric arc furnaces for steelmaking. These electrodes are known for their excellent conductivity and high-temperature stability. The primary producers of graphite electrodes are China, India, and Japan. They are essential in the steel, ferroalloy, and smelting industries, where electric arc furnaces are used.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Graphite Electrodes		C 97-100%	n/a

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of graphite electrodes with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of graphite electrodes and buyers to discover new suppliers of graphite electrodes.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows steel mills and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows producers, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

The main countries producing graphite electrodes are:

• China – ~60% of global production
• India – ~10% of global production
• Japan – ~10% of global production
• United States – ~<10% of global production
• Germany – ~5% of global production

Some of the key producers of graphite electrodes include:

• Showa Denko (Japan) – ~15% of global production
• GrafTech International (USA) – ~<15% of global production
• HEG Ltd. (India) – ~10% of global production
• Tokai Carbon (Japan) – ~<10% of global production
• Fangda Carbon (China) – ~<10% of global production

Graphite electrodes are produced using high-quality needle coke, which is mixed with coal tar pitch and formed into rods. The rods are then baked and graphitised at extremely high temperatures to create electrodes with high electrical conductivity and thermal stability. Ultra-high power (UHP) graphite electrodes undergo additional processing to meet the demands of electric arc furnaces in steelmaking.

Graphite electrodes are primarily used in electric arc furnaces for steelmaking (~70%), where they conduct electricity to melt scrap steel. They are also used in the smelting of ferroalloys (~15%) and in the production of non-ferrous metals (~10%). UHP graphite electrodes are essential for high-performance electric arc furnaces due to their superior conductivity and thermal resistance.