Steel Product Producers

GrafTech loss widens in first quarter amid 'global economic uncertainty'
Written by Ethan Bernard
April 25, 2025
GrafTech International Inc.
First quarter ended March 31 | 2025 | 2024 | % Change |
---|---|---|---|
Net sales | $111.8 | $136.6 | -18.1% |
Net earnings (loss) | ($39.4) | ($30.9) | -27.5% |
Per diluted share | ($0.15) | ($0.12) | -25% |
GrafTech International reported a wider net loss in the first quarter amid “global economic uncertainty” and “fluid” global trade policies.
The Brooklyn, Ohio-based graphite electrode producer posted a net loss of $39.4 million in Q1’25, widening 28% from a loss of $30.9 million a year earlier. Net sales fell 18% to $111.8 million in the same comparison.
Currently, the company is looking to focus more on business in the US.
“We are actively shifting the geographic mix of our business to regions where there is an opportunity to capture higher average selling prices, with a particular emphasis on the United States,” CEO and President Timothy Flanagan, said in a statement on Friday.
“As a result, we grew our sales volume approximately 25% year over year in the United States for the first quarter and expect to continue growing our market share in this key region for the remainder of 2025.”
Overall sales volume for Q1’25 was 24.7 thousand metric tons (mt), up 2% vs. a year earlier.
However, Flanagan noted that more broadly, “the steel and graphite electrode industry conditions remain challenging as global economic uncertainty persists and global trade policies remain fluid.”
A bright spot, he said, was that products made in its Monterrey, Mexico, facility, are USMCA compliant, and thus remain tariff-free so far for US customers.
Outlook
The company said that “geopolitical uncertainty,” particularly around tariffs and trade, would continue to impact “broader steel industry trends.”
While GrafTech closely monitors the situation, “we continue to expect demand for graphite electrodes in the near term will remain relatively flat in the key regions in which we operate.”
The firm expects to achieve “a low double-digit percentage point year-over-year increase in our sales volume for 2025 on a full-year basis.”
“Longer term, we remain confident that the steel industry’s efforts to decarbonize will lead to increased adoption of the electric arc furnace method of steelmaking, driving long-term demand growth for graphite electrodes,” GrafTech said.

Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Steel Product Producers

AHMSA drama deepens as drawn-out bankruptcy slowly progresses
A former CEO goes to court for swiping tin. An OEM distributor slams the bankruptcy trustee for failing workers and creditors. The steelmaker fires back. Angry employees demand back pay as tensions rise in Monclova's steel saga.

Cliffs aligns with US critical mineral policy, moves forward with DOE-funded projects
Cleveland-Cliffs is positioning itself as a key player in America’s push for industrial independence.

SDI execs tout progress on Mississippi biocarbon facility
SDI shipped the first product from its biocarbon facility in Columbus, Miss., in September as the project continues to accelerate.

SDI profits soar in Q3’25 amid ‘record’ steel shipments
Steel Dynamics Inc.’s third-quarter profits jumped year over year as the company saw “record” quarterly steel shipments

Cliffs leans hard into auto after aluminum supply chain shock
Cleveland-Cliffs executives pointed to growing automotive demand as the engine driving a turnaround at the company.