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Indicative price brief for Spherical Graphite - China. Methodology: trade publications, broker reports, and industry sources reviewed by Nexchem. This is directional intelligence, not a regulated benchmark assessment.

NXP-MM-012 Advanced Materials China China domestic (CNY/MT) Updated June 2026

Spherical Graphite - China
Price Intelligence Report

China domestic spherical graphite battery grade 99.95% pricing in CNY/MT. Shanshan BTR and Putailai anode market analysis, natural versus synthetic graphite competition, IRA FEOC compliance implications, EV anode demand tracker, and 3-scenario price outlook. Published monthly.

Spherical graphite is down 14.7% year on year in June 2026 - the steepest decline among the advanced materials tracked by Nexchem - because Chinese synthetic graphite capacity built on the assumption of premium pricing over natural graphite has instead driven both markets down simultaneously, creating a cost convergence that is eliminating the rationale for premium pricing of either natural or synthetic anode grades.

China - Battery Grade 99.95% Domestic
CNY 32,400/MT
China domestic · Battery Grade 99.95% · June 2026
▼ -CNY 5,600 (-14.7% vs June 2025)
CNY 30,200 (Apr 2026)12-Month RangeCNY 42,800 (Aug 2025)
12-Month High
CNY 42,800
Aug 2025
12-Month Low
CNY 30,200
Apr 2026
Annual Subscription
USD 6,900
USD 575/mo equiv · 17% saving
Used by
🏢Corporate strategy and procurement teams
💼Private equity and venture capital investors
🔬Chemical and materials R&D teams
📊Management and strategy consultants
🏦Investment banking and M&A advisory
Report Contents - 9 Sections~14 pages · PDF + Excel
01
Market Metrics
Current spot price, 12-month high and low, year on year change, and the key spread indicator - feedstock or conversion margin - that drives near-term pricing direction
02
Price by Grade
Full grade-level price table covering all commercial grades with Q2 2026 versus Q2 2025 comparison, direction indicator, and basis notation
Full data in paid report
03
Supply and Demand
Regional supply and demand balance for 2024 actual, 2025 estimated, and 2026 to 2027 forecast - production volumes, import dependency by origin, operating rates, and key capacity events
Full data in paid report
04
Capacity Atlas
Site-level producer table covering company, facility location, nameplate capacity in KT per year, production technology, current operating status, and analyst notes on reliability and qualification risk
Full data in paid report
05
Trade Flows
Import and export volume data by origin and destination with Hormuz disruption risk rating, vessel transit times, and freight cost comparison across supply routes
Full data in paid report
06
Margin Analysis
Feedstock cost and gross margin decomposition by production route - NWE naphtha versus Middle East ethane versus USGC ethane versus Chinese coal - with sensitivity table
Full data in paid report
07
Price Drivers
3 to 4 named drivers ranked by near-term price impact with quantified supply or cost effect per driver, driver-specific timeline, and risk rating
Full data in paid report
08
Forward Scenarios
Bull, Base, and Bear price ranges for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, and Q1 2027 with probability weighting, key assumptions, scenario trigger events, and a procurement recommendation for each case
Full data in paid report
09
Analyst Perspectives
Nexchem Intelligence analyst field intelligence on supply shortages, alternative source qualification timelines, geopolitical friction, and pricing pressure specific to this market
Full data in paid report
Active Supply and Market Alerts2 Active Alerts
HIGH
Synthetic Graphite Overcapacity - Natural Graphite Price Compression - Chinese synthetic graphite anode capacity expanded from approximately 320,000 MT per year in 2021 to an estimated 1.2 million MT per year in 2026. This expansion - driven by the assumption that synthetic graphite would command a sustained premium over natural graphite for fast-charging EV applications - instead created an oversupply that has compressed both synthetic and natural spherical graphite pricing simultaneously.
HIGH
IRA FEOC - Chinese Graphite Non-Compliant for US EV Credits from 2025 - US IRA FEOC provisions restrict EV battery credits for vehicles using graphite from Chinese-controlled sources from 2025. Syrah Resources Australia, Novonix Canada, and Urbix USA are the primary development-stage non-Chinese graphite suppliers, but none has achieved commercial-scale battery-qualified supply. The FEOC graphite supply gap is the largest unresolved supply chain constraint in US EV battery localisation.
Price by Grade - Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025Preview · 2 of 6 grades shown
Grade / ProductRegion / BasisQ2 2026Q2 2025Direction
Spherical Graphite Battery Grade 99.95%China domesticCNY 32,400/MTCNY 38,000/MT↓ Falling
Spherical Graphite Battery Grade 99.9%China domesticCNY 28,800/MTCNY 33,600/MT↓ Falling
Synthetic Graphite Anode ChinaChina domesticCNY 34,800/MTCNY 42,400/MTFalling
Spherical Graphite Global ex-ChinaGlobal USD/MTUSD 4,680/MTUSD 5,480/MTFalling
Flake Graphite 94-97% C FeedstockChina domesticCNY 6,800/MTCNY 7,600/MTFalling
LFP Cathode China ref.China domesticCNY 54,200/MTCNY 68,400/MTFalling
Full grade price table in paid report  ·  Subscribe from USD 6,900/yr
Supply and Demand - Market ContextPreview · Full data in paid report

China domestic spherical graphite supply is produced by Shanshan Technology, BTR New Energy Materials, and Putailai New Energy - collectively accounting for approximately 55% of Chinese spherical graphite capacity - through natural flake graphite purification and spheronisation processing. Chinese domestic flake graphite mining in Heilongjiang and Shandong provinces provides the primary feedstock at approximately CNY 6,800 per metric tonne for 94% to 97% carbon grade. Synthetic graphite is produced by needle coke graphitisation at high temperature, requiring significantly more energy input than natural graphite processing but producing a more consistent anode material for high-rate charging applications. The natural versus synthetic graphite mix in Chinese EV batteries is approximately 68% natural and 32% synthetic in Q2 2026. Demand for Spherical Graphite in China is concentrated in battery materials, high-performance polymer, and energy transition applications, with procurement driven by qualification requirements, FEOC compliance mandates, and supply chain localisation policy rather than spot market economics alone. Natural Graphite Price Compression - Chinese synthetic graphite anode capacity expanded from approximately 320,000 MT per year in 2021 to an estimated 1.2 million MT per year in 2026.

This expansion - driven by the assumption that synthetic graphite would command a sustained . In the current 2026 supply and demand environment, Spherical Graphite pricing in China reflects both structural market conditions and active geopolitical supply chain disruption. The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For China domestic spherical graphite, the Hormuz disruption has no direct supply chain impact - Chinese graphite mining and processing uses domestic flake graphite feedstock from Heilongjiang and Shandong, and the processing steps of purification, spheronisation, and coating use Chinese domestic inputs throughout. The primary pricing variables for Chinese spherical graphite in 2026 are domestic capacity utilisation rates, EV battery demand growth, and the IRA FEOC policy framework - all determined by Chinese industrial policy and US trade legislation rather than by Middle Eastern geopolitics. Chinese Graphite Non-Compliant for US EV Credits from 2025 - US IRA FEOC provisions restrict EV battery credits for vehicles using graphite from Chinese-controlled sources from 2025. Syrah Resources Australia, Novonix .

🔒 Full supply and demand balance table - 2024 actual to 2027 forecast with producer operating rates, import dependency by source, and key capacity events - available in the paid report.
YoY Price Change
-14.7%
vs June 2025 · June 2026 basis
12-Month Range
CNY 30,200 - CNY 42,800
Apr 2026 low · Aug 2025 high
Report Subscription
USD 6,900/yr
Monthly PDF + Excel · 9 sections
Field Context - China
The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For China domestic spherical graphite, the Hormuz disruption has no direct supply chain impact - Chinese graphite mining and processing uses domestic flake graphite feedstock...
Report Format PreviewPDF · ~14 pages · Navy structured layout

The paid report is a professionally formatted PDF with structured sections, colour-coded grade price tables, alert boxes, capacity atlas tables, a 3-scenario price outlook, and analyst cards. The accompanying Excel file contains all price data in editable format for direct integration into procurement models.

🔒
Sample page visible after subscription

Full report preview available after subscription. Illustrative mock shown above.

Analyst PerspectivesNexchem Intelligence Analysts

Every Nexchem Intelligence price report includes field-level analyst commentary covering supply shortages, qualification timelines, geopolitical friction, and pricing pressure - not generic market narrative. Nexchem analysts are active in the market and attribute all field intelligence to verifiable primary sources.

NX
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst
Head of Petrochemicals & Specialty Chemicals
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst · Field intelligence · Procurement contacts
"Spherical graphite at CNY 32,400 per metric tonne is at the same price level as late 2020, before the EV demand surge that justified the Chinese capacity build-out - the entire 2021 to 2023 price premium has been given back, and producers who invested in synthetic graphite capacity at peak pricing are now operating below cash cost at some sites. That capacity rationalisation is the precondition for price recovery."
Nexchem Procurement View
Extended perspective and procurement recommendation locked - available in paid report
Extended analyst perspective in paid report
NX
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst
Head of Advanced Materials & Green Chemicals
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst · Field intelligence · Procurement contacts
"The FEOC graphite supply gap is the most acute of all the battery material supply chain localisation challenges facing US EV manufacturers - lithium has Albemarle and SQM developing ex-China supply, LFP has Prayon and Aleees in development, but battery-qualified non-Chinese spherical graphite at commercial scale does not exist anywhere in the world outside China as of June 2026, and the 3 to 5 year development timeline means this gap will persist through at least 2028."
Nexchem Materials Intelligence View
Extended perspective and procurement recommendation locked - available in paid report
Extended analyst perspective in paid report
Forward Price Scenarios - H2 2026 to Q1 2027Bull · Base · Bear

The paid report includes full scenario assumptions, quarterly price ranges for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, and Q1 2027, probability weighting for each scenario, and a procurement recommendation tailored to each case - covering what to do if the bull case materialises, what to hedge in the base case, and how to protect exposure in the bear case.

Bull Case
CNY 36,800 - 42,400
Q3 2026 · 25% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
Base Case
CNY 29,600 - 34,200
Q3 2026 · 50% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
Bear Case
CNY 23,200 - 27,800
Q3 2026 · 25% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
2026 Geopolitical Supply Chain ContextHormuz · US-Iran · Iranian Methanol

The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For China domestic spherical graphite, the Hormuz disruption has no direct supply chain impact - Chinese graphite mining and processing uses domestic flake graphite feedstock from Heilongjiang and Shandong, and the processing steps of purification, spheronisation, and coating use Chinese domestic inputs throughout. The primary pricing variables for Chinese spherical graphite in 2026 are domestic capacity utilisation rates, EV battery demand growth, and the IRA FEOC policy framework - all determined by Chinese industrial policy and US trade legislation rather than by Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Who Uses This ReportProcurement · Strategy · Investment
🏭
Procurement and Supply Chain Teams
Category managers and procurement directors tracking feedstock costs, qualifying alternative suppliers, benchmarking contract pricing against current market levels, and managing supply disruption risk across chemical and materials categories.
📈
Corporate Strategy and Planning Teams
Strategy analysts and planning teams at chemical producers, converters, and downstream manufacturers building market sizing models, supply chain risk assessments, and competitive cost benchmarks across geographies and production routes.
💼
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Investment teams evaluating chemical sector acquisitions, monitoring portfolio company commodity exposure, conducting raw material due diligence for manufacturing investments, and assessing supply chain risk in chemical-intensive sectors.
🔍
Management Consultants and Advisors
Consulting teams advising clients on procurement strategy, supply chain transformation, cost benchmarking, commodity market exposure, and sourcing strategy across chemical, materials, and manufacturing sectors globally.
How We Collect Price IntelligenceMethodology · Sources · Limitations
Step 01
Primary Intelligence Collection
Price intelligence compiled from procurement contacts, trade desk conversations, and industry event attendance across key trading hubs including Rotterdam, Houston, Singapore, and Shanghai. Primary contacts include producers, converters, traders, and logistics providers active in each market.
Step 02
Trade Press Triangulation
Cross-referenced against trade press monitoring covering sector-specific publications and exchange data to calibrate directional accuracy and identify outliers. Where primary data differs from published benchmarks, discrepancies are noted and investigated before publication.
Step 03
Analyst Review and Estimation
Reviewed and validated by Nexchem Intelligence analysts with sector coverage experience. Where primary data is unavailable, figures are clearly labelled as Nexchem Intelligence estimates. Not a price assessment. Not for contract settlement or derivative pricing.

Important: Nexchem Intelligence price reports are indicative price intelligence, not price assessments. We are not a Price Reporting Agency and our prices are not IOSCO-compliant. For contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, or derivative pricing, use ICIS, Argus, or S&P Global Platts. Our reports are for procurement strategy, supply chain planning, and market analysis only.

Frequently Asked Questions6 Questions
What format does the report come in?
The report is delivered as a PDF file and an accompanying Excel data file. The PDF is approximately 14 pages and includes all 9 sections with colour-coded tables, alert boxes, analyst cards, and a navy geopolitical context panel. The Excel file contains all price data tables in editable format for direct integration into procurement and financial models. Both are emailed to your registered address within 2 hours of subscription confirmation.
How often is this report updated?
Price intelligence reports are updated monthly. Annual subscribers receive a new edition automatically each month at no additional cost. The price tables reflect the most recent month available - currently June 2026 (Q2 2026 edition). Special alert updates are issued between monthly editions when a HIGH severity supply disruption occurs that materially changes the market outlook.
Is this an official price assessment like ICIS or Argus?
No. Nexchem Intelligence price reports are indicative price intelligence for procurement strategy and supply chain planning. They are not price assessments produced by an IOSCO-regulated Price Reporting Agency. They should not be used for contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, financial reporting, or derivative pricing. For those applications, ICIS or Argus are the appropriate sources. Our differentiation is analyst depth and geopolitical context, not regulatory price assessment methodology.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Annual subscriptions are non-refundable after delivery of the first report. Monthly subscriptions can be cancelled at any time before the next billing date with no further charges. Enterprise and bundle subscriptions are governed by the terms in your subscription agreement. Contact [email protected] for any subscription queries.
Can I share the report within my organisation?
Single SKU subscriptions include 1 user seat. Analyst bundle subscriptions (5 SKUs) include 3 user seats. Procurement bundle (15 SKUs) includes 5 seats. Professional and Enterprise plans include 10 and unlimited seats respectively. Organisation-wide distribution rights are available under Enterprise licensing. Contact [email protected] to discuss multi-seat and site licence arrangements.
What sources do you use for price data?
Primary sources include procurement contacts at producers, converters, and trading companies active in each market; trade press monitoring; and analyst estimates based on public data including company reports, government agency data, and trade body statistics. We do not cite or rely on syndicated market research firms (Grand View Research, Mordor, IMARC, Statista, McKinsey, Gartner, IDC). We do not use AI-generated market data. All source data is primary and independently verified where possible.
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Spherical Graphite - China
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Report Details
SKU IDNXP-MM-012
PublishedQ2 2026 · June
FormatPDF + Excel
Pages~14 pages
Update cycleMonthly
DeliveryWithin 2 hours
LanguageEnglish
Included in every plan
Monthly price brief - PDF + Excel
Grade-level price breakdown - all commercial grades
Supply and demand commentary with operating rates
Capacity atlas - site-level producer detail
Trade flow intelligence with Hormuz risk rating
Feedstock and production margin analysis
3-scenario forward price outlook to Q1 2027
Analyst perspectives - Kellner and Venkat
Procurement recommendation per scenario
Weekly disruption alerts (Procurement plan+)
API data delivery (Professional plan+)
Dedicated analyst access (Enterprise only)
Methodology disclaimer: Nexchem Intelligence price reports contain indicative price intelligence compiled from primary procurement contacts, trade press monitoring, and analyst estimates. These are not price assessments in the IOSCO-regulated sense and are not produced by a Price Reporting Agency. Do not use for contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, financial reporting, or derivative pricing. All figures are estimates. Where primary data is unavailable, figures are labelled as Nexchem Intelligence estimates. Nexchem Intelligence accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of this report.
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