Hebei Ruitong Carbon Launches New Generation Ultra-High Power (UHP) Graphite Electrodes to Propel Green Upgrading of EAF Steelmaking 

Release Date: January 3, 2025

Hebei Ruitong Carbon Co., Ltd., a leading enterprise in the carbon materials sector in North China, recently announced the successful development and mass production of a new generation of Ultra-High Power (UHP) graphite electrodes. Specifically designed to optimize the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking process, this product significantly enhances energy efficiency and environmental performance, supporting the steel industry's green transformation.

Technological Innovations Driving Performance Breakthroughs

Leveraging the advanced “FEST” tunnel baking kiln technology introduced in the 2019 upgrade of its baking workshop and its independently developed isostatic pressing process, Hebei Ruitong has achieved multiple breakthroughs in electrical conductivity, thermal shock resistance, and oxidation resistance. The new UHP graphite electrodes demonstrate excellent stability under extreme arc temperatures exceeding 3500°C, effectively reducing the single heat melting time to below 55 minutes and lowering energy consumption per ton of steel to less than 420 kWh, greatly improving the energy utilization efficiency of EAF steelmaking.

According to the company’s Technical Director, Mr. Wang, the electrodes are manufactured from high-purity petroleum coke (≥99.9%) and subjected to graphitization at 2800°C to form a dense and uniform crystalline structure. The apparent density reaches 1.88 g/cm³, with porosity reduced by approximately 25% relative to conventional electrodes. Electrode consumption rate is controlled within 0.8–1.0 kg per ton of steel, substantially minimizing raw material loss during steel production. Field tests at partner steel plants indicate a 12% increase in electric arc furnace (EAF) operational efficiency and a 15% reduction in overall production costs, delivering both economic and environmental benefits.

Green Manufacturing Leading Sustainable Industry Development

As a member of the China Carbon Industry Association, Hebei Ruitong Carbon is ISO 9001 certified and exports its products to markets including Russia and Southeast Asia. With the global “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” initiatives advancing, the share of short-process EAF steelmaking is expected to exceed 40% of global steel production by 2030. This technological advancement by Ruitong not only fulfills the growing demand for high-performance graphite electrodes but also lays a solid material foundation for the steel industry's green and low-carbon transformation.

Industrial Layout and Market Expansion

The new generation UHP graphite electrodes have already entered the supply chains of the top ten steel mills in China, receiving broad recognition for their superior performance and reliability. Looking ahead, Hebei Ruitong plans to expand further into Southeast Asia and the Middle East markets within 2025, actively aligning with global trends in the green steel industry and advancing the internationalization of high-end carbon materials.

Furthermore, Hebei Ruitong continues to increase R&D investments, optimizing electrode structural design and manufacturing processes, and exploring the deep integration of intelligent manufacturing and big data monitoring technologies. These efforts aim to enhance product intelligence and production efficiency, paving the way for smart green factories and driving the carbon materials industry towards a new stage of high-quality development.

Conclusion

In response to the historic opportunity presented by the global green and low-carbon transformation of the steel industry, Hebei Ruitong Carbon leverages technological innovation as its core driver to realize the industrialization of new-generation UHP graphite electrodes. This demonstrates the competitive strength of Chinese carbon enterprises on the international stage. Going forward, Ruitong will continue to uphold its philosophy of “green manufacturing and technology leadership,” advancing graphite electrode products towards higher performance, greater environmental friendliness, and enhanced intelligence, contributing more Chinese wisdom and strength to the global green steel industry.

Key Technical Specifications:  

1.Apparent Density: 1.88 g/cm³

2.Porosity: Approximately 25% reduction relative to conventional electrodes

3.Graphitization Temperature: 2800°C

4.Electrode Consumption Rate: 0.8–1.0 kg/t steel

5.Single Heat Melting Time: < 55 minutes

6.Energy Consumption per Ton of Steel: < 420 kWh

7.Purity: ≥99.9%

Hebei Ruitong Carbon is driving the electric arc furnace steelmaking industry into a new era of high efficiency, sustainability, and environmental responsibility with its leading technology and outstanding product performance.