Calcined Petcoke Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising adoption of calcined petcoke in the metal and cement industry - The electrical conductivity of calcinated petcoke increases when the petcoke is heated further coupled with the removal of moisture, impurities, and volatile matter. Due to these valuable attributes, calcinated petcoke is highly used in industries. Calcined petroleum coke is used in metallurgy and foundries to melt aluminum for use in manufacturing special high-carbon steel, as a carbon raiser in foundries to make carbon and to manufacture a variety of carbon and graphite products. Though, calcined petcoke is an electrically conductive substance it can be combined with carbon fiber as an additive to create an electrically conductive cement mortar that is utilized as an energy source in the cement industry. This increasing acceptance in metal & cement industry is propelling calcined petcoke market.
• Use of petcoke for power generation and wide application as feedstock - Petroleum coke is extensively used as fuel in power plants to produce electricity. For instance, more than 75% of Petcoke generated globally is classified as fuel-grade thus, it is employed in the production of electricity. In addition, a large amount of coal produced in the U.S. is transported to China, which supplies the coal to power stations that run on coal. Petcoke is used as a feedstock in the manufacture of diverse carbon goods, including carbon brushes, graphite electrodes, and more carbon products. Moreover, it goes toward making activated carbon, which is used to purify air and water and it is utilized in the creation of paints, inks, and polymers.
• Increasing adoption of needle-grade calcinated petcoke - Needle coke is a premium-grade calcined substance with needle-like crystals that is electrode grade and is used to make graphitized products. The majority of needle-calcined petroleum coke has a high carbon content and relatively few impurities, such as sulfur which makes it suitable for being utilized in many different processes, including the production of graphite electrodes for electric arc furnaces in the steel industry. Furthermore, it offers distinct wear and friction characteristics because of its well-developed layer structure which may also be advantageous in situations where softer, higher-purity calcined petroleum coke is needed.

Challenges

• Ban on coal mining in certain regions - Many nations throughout the world are shifting away from coal since there is a lengthy history of substantial adverse environmental effects associated with the coal mining business that results in extensive degradation and huge evictions of residents. Moreover, more economic considerations than worries about climate change are the main drivers of this moratorium on new coal mines which is expected to negatively impact the calcined petcoke market growth for which is also derived from coal.
• Volatility in raw material prices resulting from several factors including geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions.
• Environmental concerns associated with high carbon content may lead to higher demand for cleaner alternatives hindering market.