GrafTech International Sees 14% Y-o-Y Sales Tonnage Increase in Q1
Graphite electrode maker GrafTech International reported a sales volume of 28,100 metric tons in the first quarter, an increase of 14% year-over-year. For the first quarter of 2026, its weighted-average realized price was approximately $3,900 per metric ton, representing a 5% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2025, the Brooklyn Heights, Ohio headquartered company noted.
The year-over-year pricing decline reflected “persistent competitive pressures across most of our principal commercial regions, partially mitigated by favorable mix as we achieved 37% sales volume growth in the United States, which remains the strongest region for graphite electrode pricing,” GrafTech said in a statement.
“We delivered 14% year-over-year sales volume growth in the first quarter and remain on track to meet our full-year volume expectation,” said Timothy Flanagan, CEO and president. “However, supply-side imbalance, driven by overcapacity that has been built in both China and India, translates into a current pricing environment that remains unsustainably weak.”
Flanagan emphasized that the company is taking decisive steps to restore more sustainable market dynamics. “These include implementing price increases on uncommitted volume and actively supporting trade cases in key jurisdictions,” he added.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2026 were $125 million, an increase of 12% compared to $112 million for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting higher sales volume partially offset by a year-over-year decrease in the weighted-average realized price. Net loss for the first quarter of 2026 was $43 million, compared to a net loss of $39 million for the first quarter of 2025. Production volume was 29.4 thousand metric tons in Q1 2026, resulting in a capacity utilization rate of 65%.
Demand for graphite electrodes is expected to improve modestly in 2026, supported by stable-to-improving steel production trends outside of China. “While steel market conditions remain mixed, in the United States, demand has been relatively stable and is expected to increase modestly, with steel production further supported by favorable trade policies,” GrafTech said. In Europe there are early signs of recovery, including expected demand growth and recently approved increases in trade protections.
Overall, GrafTech expects a 5–10% year-over-year increase in graphite electrode sales volume for 2026, with more than 85% of its anticipated volume already committed in the order book. But while volume trends are stable, current industry-wide pricing does “not reflect the indispensable nature of graphite electrodes for electric arc furnace steelmaking,” the company contends.
As a result, GrafTech is implementing price increases of $600 to $1,200 per metric ton on uncommitted volume. It is also actively supporting trade cases in the United States and Brazil, while continuing to optimize its order book by prioritizing higher-value regions.
GrafTech said geopolitical developments are having an impact on its key input costs, including oil-based raw materials, energy and logistics. Longer term it is confident in the market’s demand drivers.