According to data monitored by Business Society, carbon black prices have been weak this week. As of the 25th, the domestic N220 carbon black market price was 10133 yuan/ton.

In terms of raw materials, the coal tar market continued to be weak this week. As of the 17th, the price of coal tar was 4512 yuan/ton, a decrease of over 200 yuan/ton compared to March 1st. Continuous production restrictions by coke companies have led to six rounds of decline in coke prices, increased losses for coke companies, and low operating loads, resulting in tight supply in the high-temperature coal tar market; However, the downstream coal tar market is weak, and terminal procurement attitudes are negative, forming a strong pressure on coal tar. The overall demand support is insufficient, resulting in a decline in coal tar prices and weakening support for the cost of carbon black.

Construction status: Most carbon black enterprises have maintained stable construction this week.

In terms of terminals, there are sufficient domestic and foreign sales orders in the tire industry, and the downstream tire industry has a strong atmosphere of speculation, which has played a certain promoting role in sales. However, due to the fact that most merchants have already reserved inventory in advance, the actual transactions in the replacement market are not active, and the procurement of raw material carbon black is limited to rigid demand.

Import and export data from January to February: According to customs data, China imported 26000 tons of carbon black in January 2024, an increase of 38.98% year-on-year and 8.28% month on month. In February 2024, China imported 22400 tons of carbon black, an increase of 10.17% year-on-year and a decrease of 13.84% month on month; From January to February 2024, China imported a total of 48400 tons of carbon black, an increase of 23.97% compared to the same period last year, with imports increasing by approximately 9400 tons.

In January 2024, the top three regions of carbon black import quantity are Russia, South Korea and Taiwan, China; They account for 70.9%, 7.6%, and 4.7% of the total import volume, respectively. The top three regions in terms of carbon black import quantity in February 2024 are Russia, Belgium, and South Korea; They account for 73.7%, 7.3%, and 5.2% of the total import volume, respectively.

According to customs data, China’s carbon black exports in January 2024 were approximately 99400 tons, an increase of 97.35% year-on-year and 31.95% month on month. In February 2024, China’s carbon black exports were approximately 70600 tons, an increase of 47.65% year-on-year and a decrease of 28.96% month on month. From January to February 2024, China’s cumulative exports of carbon black reached 170000 tons, an increase of 73.14% compared to the same period last year, and the export volume increased by approximately 71800 tons.

The top three regions in terms of carbon black export quantity in January 2024 are Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia; They account for 35.2%, 20.7%, and 10.9% of the total export volume, respectively. The top three regions in terms of carbon black export quantity in February 2024 are Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia; They account for 31.9%, 19.3%, and 12.8% of the total export volume, respectively.

Looking ahead to the future, due to the decline in the price of high-temperature coal tar market, the support for the cost of carbon black is gradually weakening; At the same time, downstream tire industry merchants generally have a mentality of buying up rather than falling. Currently, there is a strong resistance to carbon black prices, and inquiries are mainly focused on price pressure. Therefore, it is expected that the carbon black market will generally show a weak operating trend in the short term.