Graphite prices have remained stable in recent weeks, market sources have informed IM.
The steadying of the graphite market, which had been sliding since May as a slow-down in demand began to deflate the mineral’s two-year price bubble, had been widely predicted by market analysts and observers.
All grades have remained within IM’s price ranges (see table below) since the beginning of October, according to market indications.
A European source told IM last week that it had observed increased prices for large flake material at 94-97% C, but these was unsupported by other pricing contacts around the world.
IM Data expects that prices will remain stable until the end of 2012, but may start rising in January or February 2013 when graphite customers start buying again after the winter shut-down of mines in China.
Buyers will be waiting to see what the demand sentiment is for...