Exports Of Metallurgical Carbon Additives Continue To Show A Positive Trend

In terms of export destination distribution, from January to February 2026, Japan, South Korea, and India remained the top three markets for China's carbon additive exports, accounting for 55.86% of the total export volume. Among them, Japan ranked first with an import volume of 23,662,495 kilograms, followed closely by South Korea and India in second and third place, respectively.

At the same time, export markets are showing a trend toward diversification. Import demand from countries and regions such as the Netherlands, Poland, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines also remained robust. The top ten trading partners accounted for 79.97% of the total export volume, demonstrating the significant role of China's carbon additives in the global metallurgical supply chain.

Market Trends: Demand for High-Quality Products Continues to Rise

The domestic metallurgical carbon additive market is currently operating in a stable yet slightly bullish manner. By product category, prices for graphitized carbon additives remain at relatively high levels. Taking graphitized furnace carbon additives with specifications of C ≥ 98%, S ≤ 0.05%, and particle size of 1–5 mm as an example, the market price ranges from approximately 5,200 to 5,900 yuan per ton (ex-factory, tax included); prices for graphitized carbon materials range from approximately 4,400 to 4,550 yuan per ton; prices for semi-graphitized furnace carbon additives range from approximately 4,150 to 4,550 yuan per ton.

In terms of demand structure, the global steel industry's shift toward high-end products is profoundly reshaping the demand landscape for carbon additives. As the share of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production continues to rise and demand for special steel and high-end castings grows, consumption of high-purity coal-based carbon additives with fixed carbon content ≥94% and sulfur content ≤0.3% is being continuously driven. The share of such products is expected to increase from 35% to over 40%.

In terms of cost support, influenced by geopolitical tensions and rising prices for graphitized raw materials, outsourcing prices for graphitization processing have remained relatively firm, providing strong support for carbon additive export quotations; cost pressures remain high. Furthermore, high-quality metallurgical auxiliary materials, such as low-sulfur and low-nitrogen carbon additives, are being increasingly adopted in the global steelmaking industry. Due to their extremely low sulfur and nitrogen content, they have become indispensable key materials for producing high-quality, low-nitrogen steel and are highly favored in the international market.

Looking ahead, industry experts believe that structural opportunities in the metallurgical carbon additive market in 2026 will be concentrated in the areas of "high-end, green, and service-oriented" development. The rising share of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production in the steel industry, along with growing demand for special steels and high-end castings, will continue to drive consumption of high-quality carbon additives.

For foreign trade companies engaged in the export of metallurgical carbon additives, it is recommended to closely monitor the following areas:

1.Impact of carbon emission policies: The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has gradually entered the implementation phase; in the future, metallurgical products and related auxiliary materials exported to the European market may face carbon footprint calculation and certification requirements.

2.Tariff Developments in Key Markets: As a major export destination, India has recently implemented certain adjustments to import tariffs on select steel and metallurgical raw materials. Companies must continuously monitor updates and the implications of policies regarding tariffs, anti-dumping measures, and other regulations.

3.Strict Quality Control: Overseas customers are imposing increasingly stringent technical specifications on carbon additives, particularly regarding the stability of fixed carbon content, sulfur content, and particle size. It is recommended that companies promptly provide third-party testing reports to their overseas clients.

4.Carbon Footprint and Environmental Certification: Some European and American clients are beginning to focus on product carbon footprints and green production certifications. Exporters of carbon additives should proactively pursue relevant environmental management system certifications.

In summary, with the ongoing recovery of global manufacturing and the further emergence of cost and quality advantages for Chinese carbon additive products in the international market, China's metallurgical carbon additive export industry is expected to achieve steady growth within the new market landscape by 2026.