GrafTech Announces Support of Trade Case Filed With the United States Government Over Anticompetitive Graphite Electrode Pricing
Rhea-AI Impact
(Moderate)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Negative)
Tags
Key Terms
electric arc furnacetechnical
An electric arc furnace is an industrial furnace that melts scrap metal or direct-reduced iron by creating intense heat from an electric arc between electrodes, like a giant, high-powered electric oven that turns metal pieces into molten steel. Investors care because it determines a steelmaker’s energy costs, flexibility to use recycled material, and greenhouse gas footprint—factors that affect profitability, raw-material exposure, and regulatory or public-pressure risks.
u.s. international trade commissionregulatory
A federal agency that acts like a referee for cross‑border trade, investigating whether imported goods unfairly hurt U.S. businesses or violate U.S. trade laws and patents. Its findings and recommendations — such as tariffs, import restrictions, or blocking certain products — can change supply chains, raise costs, or protect domestic competitors, so investors watch its decisions for potential impacts on company revenues, margins, and market access.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF) ("GrafTech," the "Company," "we," or "our"), a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals, today announced its support for the petition to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") to investigate whether China and India are exporting large diameter graphite electrodes ("LDGE") at unfair prices in the United States (the "Petition").
The Petition asserts that China and India are harming the domestic graphite electrode industry by exporting LDGE at less than fair value and that the governments of China and India are providing subsidies with respect to the manufacture, production, and export of LDGE. Based on expert analysis performed by Kelley Drye and Warren LLP, the law firm managing the case, the Petition includes margin allegations of up to 74% for LDGE exports from India and up to 147% for LDGE exports from China. The Petition seeks additional duties to address government subsidization of the graphite electrode industries in India and China. For the purpose of the Petition, LDGE is defined as large diameter graphite electrodes exceeding 425 millimeters (16.7 inches) in diameter.
"We stand firmly behind the Petition as part of our commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. graphite electrode industry," said Timothy Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer and President. "Ensuring fair competition is vital for the sustainability of American manufacturing and the steel industry. We are confident that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the ITC will conduct a thorough investigation and take the necessary actions to address these unfair trade practices."
About GrafTech
GrafTech International Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. We believe the Company has a competitive portfolio of low-cost, ultra-high power graphite electrode manufacturing facilities, with some of the highest capacity facilities in the world. We are the only large-scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, our key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing. This unique position provides us with a number of competitive advantages.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, financial projections, plans and objectives of management for future operations, future economic performance and short-term and long-term liquidity. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding future estimated volume, pricing and revenue, and anticipated levels of capital expenditures and cost of goods sold. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “will,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “target,” “goal,” “continue to,” “positioned to,” “are confident,” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon our historical performance and on our current plans, estimates and expectations considering information currently available to us. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us that the future plans, estimates, or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Our expectations and targets are not predictions of actual performance and historically our performance has deviated, often significantly, from our expectations and targets. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business, prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to: the legal, compliance, economic, social and political risks associated with our substantial operations in multiple countries; and uncertain shifts in domestic and foreign trade policies and the possibility that the imposition of current, new or increased custom duties and tariffs and trade barriers in the countries in which we, our customers and our suppliers operate could adversely affect our ability to compete, operations, results of operations and financial condition. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the Risk Factors and other cautionary statements that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this press release, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that could cause actual results to differ before making an investment decision to purchase our common stock. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us.
