Supporting low electrical resistivity and resistance to the thermal gradients generated in EAFs, graphite electrodes can conduct electric currents and create electricity to melt scrap steel or other metals in furnaces. Due to various materials and the physicochemical index of final products, normally graphite electrodes are classified into three types: RP graphite electrodes, HP graphite electrodes and UHP graphite electrodes. HP and RP graphite electrodes are mainly used in the first step of melting, compared with higher bulk density, lower specific electrical resistance and higher flexural strength, UHP graphite electrodes can be used for melting high-purity of molten steel.

Before the year 2021, due to demolition, long-term environmental remediation and repurposing of lower capacity facilities, the production of graphite electrodes continuously decreased outside the PRC. Especially in 2016, the Chinese government restricted the export of steel products and it led to increased steel production outside of China. At the same time, the demand for graphite electrodes had been increased globally accordingly.

From lots of research, along with the recovery of the EAF steel industry, the graphite electrode market is possible to keep long-term growth trajectory, despite the temporary drop in production and consumption from the outbreak of Covid. To achieve the carbon neutrality aim, the proportion of EAF steel in the whole crude steel will