Carbon Graphite Market - Forecast (2020-2025)

Overview

Carbon Graphite Market is forecast to reach $20.86 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 5.40% during 2020-2025. Carbon graphite is used as one of the main materials for susceptors in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes due to its thermal stability, high electrical conductivity and the ability to easily shape almost any form. Extruded graphite is produced in an extrusion process. In contrast to isostatic graphite, extruded graphite has a coarser grain size and a lower strength but higher thermal and electrical conductivity. The global carbon graphite market has witnessed significant growth during the forecast period due to the expansion of the industrial sector and increase in usage of carbon graphite in metallurgy activities.

Report Coverage

The report: Carbon Graphite Market - Forecast (2020-2025)” covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Carbon Graphite Market.

Key Takeaways

• The growth in the refractories manufacturing industries led to an increased demand for carbon graphite. Carbon graphite is used in the production of refractory bricks such as magnesia-carbon (MgO-C) refractory bricks, ladles, crucibles, and molds for containing molten metals.
• Graphite mining companies are considering increasing the production of graphite to cater to the increase in demand for graphene batteries which is a major growth factor of the carbon-graphite market.
• The use of underground-drones to build three-dimensional (3D) maps for mine plans is gaining popularity in the carbon graphite industry.
• Environmental regulations imposed by governments globally to decrease carbon emissions and meet environmental targets proved to be a restraint on the carbon graphite market.

By Product Type - Segment Analysis

Carbon graphite electrode segment held a significant share of the carbon-graphite market in 2019. Carbon graphite electrodes are primarily used in electric arc furnace and steel manufacturing as they provide high levels of electrical conductivity and capability of sustaining heat generated at extremely high levels. The market for carbon graphite electrodes is expected to grow during the forecast period as they are also used in the refinement of steel and similar smelting processes.

By Application - Segment Analysis

Industrial segment held a significant share in the carbon graphite market in 2019. Carbon graphite has high refractory qualities and is a good conductor of electricity, meaning it stands up well to high temperatures and wears. Because of this, carbon graphite is widely used for industrial purposes as flake graphite which is used to manufacture carbon electrodes, dry-cell batteries, brushes, and plates in the electrical industry. Because of carbon graphite self-lubricating and dry lubricating properties, it is widely used in industrial applications and hence driving the carbon graphite market.

Geography - Segment Analysis

Asia Pacific dominated the carbon graphite market with a share of more than 40% during the forecast period. In various countries such as China and India, high investments are being made for industrial growth and infrastructure development. Furthermore, expansion of the industrial sector, especially in Asia Pacific is anticipated to drive the carbon graphite market during the forecast period.

China is one of the largest producers of carbon graphite, accounting for a major share of global production. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published a document entitled ‘Graphite Industry Access Conditions’ which includes government regulations and plans on the treatment of graphite. The document considers graphite to be a rare earth mineral and suggests steps to regulate the market. China is likely to have a prominent share in the graphite market throughout the forecast period.

Drivers - Carbon Graphite Market

Demand for carbon graphite from the lithium-ion battery industry

Carbon graphite is majorly used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, which is a major factor contributing to the growth of the carbon-graphite industry is the expansion of lithium-ion battery industry. The factors responsible for the growth of carbon graphite market is rapidly maturing electric vehicle industry inception of the utility storage market. Moreover, increasing investments and expansions by the market players is likely to contribute for the growth of carbon graphite market. For instance, Tesla has constructed lithium-ion factory in Nevada, U.S., with a production capacity of 35 GWh. This plant is expected to be operational by 2020.

Challenges - Carbon Graphite Market

Increasing prices

Carbon graphite prices mainly depend on two factors which are flake size and purity. According to Statista, in 2016, the price for large graphite flakes is expected to reach 996 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Until 2020, the price for this flake grade was expected to increase to 1,165 dollars per metric ton. Due to an increase in prices, the market for carbon graphite is likely to decrease.

Market Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the carbon graphite market. In 2019, the market for carbon graphite has been consolidated by the top five players accounting for xx% of the carbon-graphite market share. Major top 10 companies of carbon graphite market are Cabot Corporation, Cytec, Solvay Group, Hexcel Corporation, Mersen S.A., HEG Ltd., Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd., Nippon Carbon Co. Ltd., Toray Industries Inc. and Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. among others.

Acquisitions/ Expansion

• In 2019, LG Chem, a South Korea-based company planned to open Europe’s largest lithium-ion battery in Poland that uses graphite as a raw material.
• In July 2018, Tokai Carbon acquired Sid Richardson Carbon and its affiliated companies at a transaction value of USD$308 million. With this acquisition, Tokai established its major presence in the North American market, as Sid Richardson Carbon is the largest carbon black producer in the United States.
• In October 2017, SHOWA DENKO K.K. acquired SGL GE Holding GmbH, a graphite electrode production company, which operates as a subsidiary of SDK now.