Needle coke is a premium grade of petroleum coke produced from selected high-anisotropy feedstocks — either FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) decant oil from refineries (oil-based needle coke) or coal-tar pitch from coke ovens (coal-tar-based needle coke). The resulting coke has a needle-like crystalline structure that, when graphitized at 2500-3000°C, produces a low-CTE, high-strength synthetic graphite essential for UHP electrode and battery anode applications.

Needle Coke Supplier — UHP Electrode & Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Precursor

Name: Needle Coke
Brand: Global Vista
Availability: InStock

Product Overview

Needle coke is the most premium grade of petroleum coke — produced from selected high-anisotropy feedstocks using modified delayed coker conditions that promote a needle-like crystalline carbon structure. This unique microstructure is what makes needle coke essential for the most demanding carbon applications.

Two feedstock routes dominate the needle coke market:

Oil-based needle coke — from FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) decant oil at petroleum refineries. Lower sulphur, lower nitrogen, premium quality. Preferred for UHP electrodes.
Coal-tar-based needle coke — from premium coal-tar pitch from coke ovens. Slightly higher impurities, more available, suitable for HP/SHP electrodes and some battery applications.

Global Vista supplies needle coke in two processing states: calcined (heat-treated at 1200-1400°C, for HP/SHP electrode manufacturers who do their own graphitization) and graphitized (further heat-treated at 2500-3000°C, ready for direct use in UHP electrode molding or lithium-ion battery anode production). See our petroleum coke primer for the broader product family context.

Technical Specifications by Grade

Parameter Calcined Needle Coke Graphitized Needle Coke

Fixed Carbon (F.C.)≥ 98.5%≥ 99.5%

Sulphur (S)≤ 0.5%≤ 0.05%

Nitrogen (N)≤ 500 ppm< 100 ppm

Ash≤ 0.3%≤ 0.2%

Volatile Matter (V.M.)≤ 0.5%≤ 0.3%

Moisture≤ 0.3%≤ 0.3%

CTE (×10⁻⁶/°C)≤ 1.5≤ 1.0 (premium)

Real Density (g/cm³)2.10–2.142.20–2.24

Heat Treatment1200–1400°C2500–3000°C

FOB China (USD/MT)$1,800–2,500$2,500–3,500

* Premium battery-grade graphitized needle coke (further purified, spheronized) available at $3,500–4,500/MT. All shipments include COA with lot-traceable analysis.

Available Grades

$1,800–2,500 / MT

Calcined Needle Coke

For HP/SHP graphite electrode manufacturers

Heat-treated at 1200-1400°C, ready for the electrode manufacturer's own graphitization process. Both oil-based and coal-tar-based feedstocks available.

• F.C. ≥ 98.5%, S ≤ 0.5%
• CTE ≤ 1.5×10⁻⁶/°C
• Standard sizes 0–0.5mm, 0.5–4mm

For: HP / SHP electrode plants

$2,500–3,500 / MT

Graphitized Needle Coke

For UHP electrodes & battery anode precursor

Further heat-treated at 2500-3000°C — fully graphitized, ultra-low sulphur, low nitrogen. Ready for direct use in UHP electrode molding or battery anode spheronization.

• F.C. ≥ 99.5%, S ≤ 0.05%
• N < 100 ppm
• CTE ≤ 1.0×10⁻⁶/°C (premium)

For: UHP electrodes + Li-ion anode

Need premium battery-grade? Spheronized, purified needle coke for direct lithium-ion battery anode use is available at $3,500–4,500/MT for qualified buyers. Custom particle size (D50 typically 8–25 μm), tap density > 0.95 g/cm³, BET surface area < 5 m²/g. Subject to Chinese export control review (December 2023 graphite regime).

Applications

UHP Graphite Electrode Manufacturing

Primary application for premium needle coke. UHP (Ultra High Power) graphite electrodes for premium EAF steel mills require 100% needle coke feedstock to achieve the thermal shock resistance needed for high-current operations.

Spec: Graphitized needle coke, oil-based preferred, CTE ≤ 1.0×10⁻⁶/°C

Lithium-Ion Battery Anode

Fastest-growing application. Graphitized needle coke is purified, spheronized and surface-modified to become the synthetic graphite anode active material in EV and energy storage batteries. Demand forecast to triple by 2030.

Spec: Graphitized + spheronized, D50 8-25 μm, tap density > 0.95 g/cm³

SHP / HP Electrode Manufacturing

SHP (Super High Power) and HP (High Power) graphite electrodes use a blend of needle coke and standard CPC. Calcined needle coke at 30-60% of the carbon mix delivers the required performance at moderate cost.

Spec: Calcined needle coke, oil-based or coal-tar

Specialty Carbon Products

High-purity carbon brushes, EDM electrodes, semiconductor susceptors, and specialty graphite for nuclear and aerospace applications. Small volume but high margin.

Premium Recarburizing (Niche)

Selected needle coke grades are used as premium recarburizer for nitrogen-sensitive specialty steels. Not cost-effective for general steel — better to use GPC or GES.

Carbon Composite Production

Used as filler in C/C composites for aerospace brake discs and high-temperature structural applications.

Quality Assurance

Mill Test Certificate (COA)
Lot-traceable F.C., S, N, ash, V.M., CTE, real density per shipment.
CTE Testing
Standard CTE measurement per each lot — confirms graphitization quality.
Third-Party Inspection
SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek pre-shipment inspection mandatory for premium grades.
Feedstock Verification
Oil-based vs coal-tar declaration on COA — material traceability to refinery or coke oven source.
Pre-Order Sample Qualification
5–25 kg samples to your lab for electrode mold trial or battery anode pilot before bulk order.

Logistics & Compliance

Origin Ports
Tianjin Xingang · Qingdao · Shanghai
Packaging
1MT FIBC (jumbo bags), nitrogen-blanketed for premium grades. 25kg PP bags for sampling.
Export Controls
Battery anode-grade needle coke may require Chinese export license under the December 2023 graphite control regime. We handle licensing on the supplier side.
Payment Terms
T/T 30/70 or irrevocable L/C at sight. USD / EUR / JPY settlement.
Lead Time
20–35 days from order confirmation (longer for graphitized due to furnace cycle).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is needle coke?

Premium petroleum coke produced from selected high-anisotropy feedstocks (FCC decant oil or coal-tar pitch). The needle-like crystalline structure delivers the low-CTE thermal shock resistance essential for UHP electrodes and battery anode applications. See our petroleum coke primer for the broader product family.

Oil-based vs coal-tar needle coke — which is better?

Oil-based (from FCC decant oil) is premium standard — lower S, lower N, better crystallinity, preferred for premium UHP electrodes. Coal-tar-based (from coke oven pitch) is more available with slightly higher impurities, suitable for HP/SHP electrodes. Market mix is roughly 60% oil / 40% coal-tar.

What is needle coke used for?

Two main applications: (1) UHP / SHP / HP graphite electrode manufacturing — needle coke's low CTE is essential for electrodes carrying thousands of amps; (2) Lithium-ion battery anode active material — graphitized, purified and spheronized for EV and ESS batteries.

What is CTE and why does it matter?

CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) measures expansion-on-heating. For electrodes operating at high current with rapid thermal cycling, low CTE prevents cracking. Premium needle coke: CTE ≤ 1.0×10⁻⁶/°C. Standard CPC: ~4.0×10⁻⁶/°C — way too high for UHP electrodes.

How much does needle coke cost?

2026 FOB China: Calcined $1,800-2,500/MT. Graphitized $2,500-3,500/MT. Premium battery-grade graphitized + spheronized $3,500-4,500/MT. Prices firm with battery demand growth.

Is needle coke subject to Chinese export controls?

Standard needle coke for electrode applications is freely exportable. Battery-grade graphitized needle coke (especially purified and spheronized material) requires Chinese export permits under the December 2023 graphite export-control regime. We handle all licensing on the supplier side and can advise on classification.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Trial orders from 5 MT for sample qualification. Production orders typically 25-100 MT per shipment for premium grades. Bulk orders 500+ MT for major electrode plants. Battery anode customers usually contract annual volumes.

Request a Quote

Specify your application (UHP electrode / battery anode / HP-SHP electrode / specialty), feedstock preference (oil-based vs coal-tar), grade, quantity and destination port.

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Needle Coke

At a Glance