Graphite
Natural graphite is crystalline carbon in a layered structure whose sheets slide easily over one another, which makes it soft and slippery, and whose bonds within each sheet make it an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and stable to very high temperatures. It occurs in three commercial forms: flake graphite recovered from metamorphosed sediments, vein or lump graphite found in a small number of deposits, and amorphous microcrystalline graphite from altered coal seams. It is used in refractories and crucibles for steel and foundry work, in the anode of lithium ion batteries once spheronised and coated, in brake and clutch friction materials, in lubricants and greases, in foundry facings and recarburisers, in pencils, and as expandable graphite for fire retardant seals and gaskets.
Listed graphite markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
A graphite contract turns on the crystalline type, on the flake size, and on the carbon assay. Flake size and carbon are quoted together because a large flake at a given carbon is a different product from a fine flake at the same carbon.
Chemical assay
10 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Graphite typeDeclared, as flake, vein or lump, or amorphous | The first term on any contract. The three types are different products with different uses and they are not substitutable. |
| Fixed carbonPercentage by mass | Determined by proximate analysis under the named standard. The payable content and the headline grade term. |
| AshPercentage by mass, maximum | The mineral residue after combustion. It is the mirror of the carbon figure and it is what a refractory or a battery maker is trying to exclude. |
| Volatile matterPercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by proximate analysis. High volatiles indicate incomplete crystallinity or residual organic matter. |
| MoisturePercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by oven drying. It is both a weight term and a handling term because damp graphite will not flow. |
| SulphurPercentage by mass, maximum | Controlled for refractory and recarburiser use, because it reports to the steel. |
| Iron as ferric oxidePercentage by mass, maximum | A magnetic and a purity term. It is tightly controlled in battery grade. |
| Silica and alumina in the ashPercentage by mass | Determined by X-ray fluorescence on the ash under ISO 12677, identifying the gangue that survived flotation. |
| Purification routeDeclared, as flotation only, thermally purified or chemically purified | Where a high purity grade is contracted, the route is named because it determines the residual impurity profile and the environmental footprint. |
| CrystallinityReported as the interlayer spacing and the degree of graphitisation, by X-ray diffraction | The structural measure behind conductivity and lubricity, specified where the application depends on it. |
Particle size and sizing
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Flake size gradingPercentage by mass retained at each stated mesh aperture | Determined on test sieves conforming to ISO 3310. In flake graphite the size band is a grade and it is priced separately from the carbon. |
| Nomenclature of the size bandDeclared as the mesh series and the aperture | Contracts name the sieve series as well as the mesh number, because mesh designations differ between series. |
| Median particle sizeMicrometres, as the fiftieth percentile by volume | Determined by laser diffraction under ISO 13320, for micronised and spheronised grades. |
| Particle shape and sphericityReported against the named method | For battery grade, where the spheronised particle geometry governs how the anode packs. |
| Tap densityGrams per cubic centimetre | Determined on a tapped cylinder. The working density term for anode and powder grades. |
| Oversize and undersizePercentage by mass, maximum | Agreed in the sizing clause rather than left to the screen report. |
Physical properties
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bulk density, loose and tappedKilograms per cubic metre | Sets the bag, the silo and the freight cube. |
| Specific surface areaSquare metres per gram | Determined by nitrogen adsorption. A governing term for battery grade, where surface area drives first cycle losses. |
| Expansion ratioCubic centimetres per gram, at the stated temperature | For expandable graphite, the volume the treated flake reaches on heating. It is the defining performance term for fire retardant use. |
| Onset expansion temperatureDegrees Celsius | The temperature at which the intercalated flake begins to expand. |
| Electrical resistivityOhm metres | Measured on a compacted specimen where the application depends on conduction. |
| Oxidation resistanceReported as mass loss at the stated temperature and dwell | A refractory term, governing how the graphite behaves in a working brick or crucible. |
| Lubricity and coefficient of frictionReported against the named method | For lubricant, grease and friction grades. |
| Magnetic contaminationMilligrams per kilogram | Determined after magnetic separation of a prepared sample. A rejection term for battery grade. |
Contaminants and regulated substances
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Trace metalsMilligrams per kilogram, maximum, by element | Determined on a digest. Battery grade carries element by element ceilings on iron, copper, nickel, chromium, zinc and sodium. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram, maximum | Arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury against the destination limit for the intended use. |
| Respirable dust and crystalline silicaPercentage by mass | Declared on the safety data sheet, driving the dust controls at the receiving plant. |
| Residual acid and chlorideMilligrams per kilogram, maximum | On chemically purified grades, the residue from the leach circuit. |
| Origin and due diligenceDeclared, with the mine or plant named | Country of origin and the responsible sourcing statement, which battery supply chains require as a condition of purchase. |
Delivery, documentation and certification
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Form and packingDeclared | Bulk, big bags of a stated net weight, paper or polywoven bags palletised and shrink wrapped, or containerised bulk in liners. The pack is a price term because it drives the handling cost at both ends. |
| Moisture at loadingPercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by oven drying on a loading sample. Moisture is paid for as mineral unless the contract sets a dry weight basis, so it is always specified. |
| Weight basisDeclared | Wet or dry metric tonnes, on shipped weight or landed weight, with the survey house named and the draft survey or weighbridge method stated. |
| Sampling and assay protocolDeclared | Who samples, at which point, to what standard, how the sample is split and sealed, and which laboratory umpires a dispute. It is agreed before loading, not after. |
| Transportable moisture limitPercentage by mass | Where the cargo is a group A material under the maritime bulk cargoes code, the flow moisture point and the transportable moisture limit are certified before loading. |
| Safety data sheetDocument, to the globally harmonised system format | Classification, handling and respirable crystalline silica statement, supplied with every consignment. |
| Certificate of analysisDocument, per lot | Issued by the named laboratory against the contract specification, referencing the lot and the sampling record. |
| Regulatory registrationDeclared | Chemical registration at the destination where the mineral requires one, named on the contract. |
| Origin and due diligenceDeclared, with the mine or plant named | Country of origin, the mine or processing plant, and where required the responsible sourcing statement. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| China | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Korea, Republic of | East Asia | Destination |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Zimbabwe | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Namibia | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Uganda | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Europe and Anatolia | Origin and destination |
| Ukraine | Eastern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Russian Federation | Eurasia | Origin and destination |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Czechia | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Western Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Northern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Poland | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Romania | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Bulgaria | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Greece | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Netherlands | Northwest Europe | Destination and trading hub |
| Belgium | Northwest Europe | Destination |
| France | Western Europe | Origin and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | North America | Origin and destination |
| Colombia | South America | Origin and destination |
| Peru | South America | Origin and destination |
| Chile | South America | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | South America | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| New Zealand | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Trading and finance |
| Switzerland | Western Europe | Trading and finance |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Destination and trading hub |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Egypt | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Morocco | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Viet Nam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Production is when the mineral is mined and processed at origin, which follows the mine plan and the weather at the pit rather than a crop season. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is drying, grading, bagging and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe dominant producer of both flake and amorphous graphite and the centre of spheronising and coating capacity. Heilongjiang mining slows in deep winter. |
| Mozambique | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Nov, arrival Jun to JanLarge scale flake production shipping through Nacala and Pemba. The wet season restricts pit operations and haulage. | ||
| Madagascar | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Nov, arrival Jun to JanLong established flake production, with the cyclone season limiting the first months of the year. | ||
| Brazil | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecMinas Gerais flake and fine flake production supplying the domestic refractory industry and export markets. |
| Sri Lanka | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe principal source of vein graphite, a small and distinct trade at very high carbon. |
| India | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to May, arrival Nov to JunOdisha, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu production, with mining and drying weighted to the dry months. | |||
| Tanzania | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Nov, arrival Jul to JanFlake production shipping through Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, weighted to the dry season. | |||
| Korea, Republic of | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecAmorphous production and a large processing sector converting imported flake into anode material. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and tonnage already sitting in a destination warehouse or terminal.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for graphite. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading2504.10 Natural graphite in powder or in flakes
2504.90 Natural graphite, other - PackingBulk in a lined container, 1 t big bags, or 25 kg to 50 kg paper or PP bags on pallets. Moisture and particle size distribution stated on the certificate of analysis at load.
- Container loading20ft: 26 t to 28 t bulk or big bag. Weight limited well before volume. Check the road weight limit at the destination before fixing the box size.
- Contract and arbitrationSale on typical analysis with a certificate of analysis at load port and an umpire clause. ASTM and API specifications where they exist, including API 13A for drilling grade barite and bentonite. Arbitration under ICC rules or at the contract seat.
- Destination limitsEU REACH registration above one tonne per year, respirable dust controls, and battery grade specifications on purity, particle size and tap density that sit far above industrial grade. Several origins licence or restrict graphite exports, so an export licence must be evidenced before the contract is fixed.
Common questions
What grades of graphite does SIP Global trade?
We quote 37 published grades of graphite, including Graphite type - Declared, as flake, vein or lump, or amorphous, Fixed carbon - Percentage by mass, Ash - Percentage by mass, maximum, Volatile matter - Percentage by mass, maximum, Moisture - Percentage by mass, maximum and Sulphur - Percentage by mass, maximum. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is graphite graded?
A graphite contract turns on the crystalline type, on the flake size, and on the carbon assay. Flake size and carbon are quoted together because a large flake at a given carbon is a different product from a fine flake at the same carbon. Grading runs on 5 systems: Chemical assay, Particle size and sizing, Physical properties, Contaminants and regulated substances and Delivery, documentation and certification.
Where does SIP Global trade graphite?
We trade graphite in China, Mozambique, Madagascar, Brazil, Korea, Republic of, India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, United Republic of and 44 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is graphite harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are China: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Mozambique: harvest apr to nov, arrival jun to jan; Madagascar: harvest apr to nov, arrival jun to jan; Brazil: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Sri Lanka: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for graphite?
Graphite is normally classified under HS 2504.10 (natural graphite in powder or in flakes) and HS 2504.90 (natural graphite, other). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for graphite?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed graphite market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.