GrafTech International Ltd., a global producer of high-quality graphite electrode products used in steelmaking and other metal production processes, has announced that it has filed a trade petition with Brazilian authorities requesting an investigation into allegedly unfairly priced imports of graphite electrodes from China and India. The petition asks the Brazilian government to examine whether exporters from these countries are selling graphite electrodes in the Brazilian market at prices that may constitute dumping, potentially harming domestic producers.
The filing was submitted to the Department of Trade Defense, known as DECOM, which operates under the Foreign Trade Secretariat within Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services. According to the company, the request seeks a formal review of pricing practices related to graphite electrode shipments entering the Brazilian market from China and India.
Following the submission of the petition, DECOM announced on March 11, 2026, that it would initiate an official investigation into the matter. The probe will focus on determining whether graphite electrodes exported from China and India into Brazil are being sold at unfairly low prices compared with their normal value in the exporters’ domestic markets or production costs.
As part of the initial phase of the investigation, DECOM conducted a preliminary assessment of the available data. Based on that review, the agency indicated that the estimated dumping margins for graphite electrode exports could reach approximately 54.9% for shipments originating from China and 57.3% for those from India. These preliminary estimates suggest a significant difference between the export prices and the calculated fair value of the products.
DECOM stated that the initial findings provide sufficient evidence to justify moving forward with a full investigation. During the investigation process, Brazilian authorities will collect additional data from exporters, importers, and domestic producers to determine whether dumping has occurred and whether it has caused material injury to the domestic industry.
The scope of the investigation will cover graphite electrodes with diameters equal to or greater than 350 millimeters. These large-diameter electrodes are commonly used in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking operations. Electric arc furnaces rely on graphite electrodes to conduct electricity and generate the heat required to melt scrap metal or other raw materials during steel production.
The Brazilian steel market plays a significant role in the global steel industry. According to data from the World Steel Association, Brazil produced approximately 33.3 million tons of crude steel in 2025. This production level places the country among the world’s leading steel producers and makes it the ninth-largest steel-producing nation globally.
Given the scale of Brazil’s steel industry, maintaining a stable and competitive supply of graphite electrodes is considered important for electric arc furnace steel producers. These electrodes are essential consumables in EAF steelmaking, and reliable access to them at fair prices is critical for maintaining efficient operations and cost competitiveness in the domestic steel sector.
The petition was submitted by GrafTech Brasil Participações Ltda., the Brazilian subsidiary of GrafTech. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Candeias, located in the state of Bahia. With more than five decades of operations in the country, GrafTech says it has developed extensive manufacturing and service capabilities to support Brazil’s electric arc furnace steel industry.
GrafTech’s presence in Brazil positions it as the only large-scale graphite electrode producer with manufacturing operations within the country. The company states that its facility and related services play a role in supporting domestic steel producers by providing locally manufactured electrodes as well as technical support.
Timothy Flanagan, the company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, emphasized GrafTech’s long-term commitment to Brazil and its steel industry. He noted that the decision to file the petition reflects the company’s efforts to ensure fair competition in the graphite electrode market and to protect the sustainability of domestic manufacturing operations.
Flanagan stated that GrafTech takes pride in its longstanding presence in Brazil and in the capabilities it has developed to serve customers in the region. According to him, the petition represents an effort to promote a level playing field within the graphite electrode industry while supporting the long-term viability of both GrafTech’s operations and its customers in the country.
The company also expressed confidence that Brazilian authorities will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. GrafTech said it believes the review process will carefully examine all relevant data and determine whether any unfair trade practices are occurring in the Brazilian market.
If DECOM ultimately concludes that dumping has taken place and that it has caused injury to domestic producers, the Brazilian government could impose anti-dumping duties or other trade remedies on imports of graphite electrodes from the countries under investigation. Such measures are designed to offset the effects of unfair pricing and restore fair competition in the marketplace.
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