Dear Users,
To precisely align with the actual demand of carbon enterprises for petroleum coke products and to help market entities gain in-depth understanding of low-sulphur petroleum coke spot costs and price fluctuation trends, starting from May 15, 2026, SMM will officially launch the regular publication of Brazilian and Argentinian low-sulphur petroleum coke CIF China price data. This aims to deliver more comprehensive and diversified spot price information to the industry and provide enterprises with a wider range of settlement reference standards to choose from.
I. SMM Price Assessment Methodology General Principles
Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a fully independent third-party service organization. It does not participate in any actual transactions, but maintains close communication with buyers or sellers of transactions in the capacity of a market observer or organizer, and provides relevant services to the market. Through communication with industry professionals, SMM continuously develops, reviews, and revises its methodology, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry. SMM gives equal consideration to all normal transactions that meet specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price information deemed less reliable or unrepresentative from its price assessment judgments.
SMM publishes daily metal spot prices (or price indices, covering the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM prices. SMM has developed corresponding methodologies for all published SMM prices (all of which will be published on SMM's official website www.smm.cn for reference). The methodologies stipulate the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM prices, and SMM prices are generated and published in strict accordance with the provisions of the methodologies.
To reflect the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM will make necessary revisions to SMM price assessment methodologies and announce them on SMM's official website prior to formal implementation. For any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices and their methodologies, please contact SMM client service personnel (please refer to SMM's official website www.smm.cn for contact information).
II. Price Formation
2.1 Definition
SMM Brazil and Argentina Low-Sulphur Petroleum Coke CIF China quotations are compiled and published in accordance with established pricing methodologies, serving as indicative prices for both trading parties as a reference for low-sulphur petroleum coke trade settlement. The quotations are published on a weekly basis, reflecting the tax-exclusive prices for Brazil and Argentina low-sulphur petroleum coke delivered at main ports in China (Rizhao Port, Qingdao Port, etc.). SMM price subscribers can simultaneously access historical prices.
2.2 Price Generation Method
SMM obtains relevant price information through standardized price collection methods. Standardized price collection includes but is not limited to actual prices provided by price submitters. SMM filters out price information that deviates from the market, ultimately forming relatively fair and reasonable mainstream quotations.
2.3 Product Specifications
In compliance with NB/SH/T 0527-2019 standard, sulphur content 0.5%–1%
2.4 Pricing Unit and Presentation
$/mt, presented in a range format.
2.5 Delivery Location
Main ports in China (Rizhao Port, Qingdao Port, etc.)
2.6 Quotation Schedule:
Weekly, every Friday, 12:00 PM Beijing time
III. Methodology Changes
All markets evolve, and SMM has a responsibility to ensure that the methodologies for market reporting evolve with them. Therefore, SMM will conduct regular internal reviews of the appropriateness of its methodologies based on industry feedback. For all substantive but non-urgent potential modifications, SMM will follow a formal external consultation process. Significant changes will then be published with a notice period of at least 28 days, inviting industry participants to comment, unless special circumstances, particularly force majeure events (natural disasters, wars, exchange bankruptcies, etc.), necessitate a shortened notice period. SMM commits to carefully reviewing all comments on proposed methodology changes, but in certain cases, may have to amend the methodology against the wishes of some market participants. In addition, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process in place. SMM is dedicated to serving enterprises in the aluminum industry chain and reducing transaction costs for enterprises. New price points will be updated every Friday — please stay tuned. For any questions or suggestions, please contact petroleum coke and aluminum auxiliary material analyst Liu Huimin at 021-20707893.
SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.
Aluminum Division
May 12, 2026