(1) Long production cycle. The production cycle of ordinary power graphite electrodes is about 45 days, and the production cycle of ultra high power graphite electrodes is over 70 days. However, the production cycle of graphite electrode joints that require multiple impregnations is longer.

(2) High energy consumption. The production of 1t ordinary power graphite electrodes requires about 6000kW · h of electrical energy, several thousand cubic meters of gas or natural gas, and about 1t of metallurgical coke particles and powder.

(3) There are many production processes. The production process includes raw material calcination, crushing and grinding, batching, kneading, molding, roasting, impregnation, graphitization, and mechanical processing. Its production requires many specialized mechanical equipment and kilns with special structures, resulting in a large construction investment and a long investment recovery period.

(4) A certain amount of dust and harmful gases are generated during the production process, and it is necessary to take sound environmental protection measures such as ventilation to reduce dust and eliminate harmful gases.

(5) The carbonaceous raw materials required for production, such as petroleum coke and coal tar pitch, are by-products of production and processing in oil refining and coal chemical enterprises. The quality and stability of raw materials are difficult to be fully guaranteed, especially needle coke, modified electrode pitch, and special impregnant pitch with low quinoline insoluble content for the production of high-power and ultra-high-power graphite electrodes. Therefore, it is urgent for China's petroleum and coal chemical processing enterprises to attach importance to and actively cooperate.