1. Intel for industrial graphite electrodes: GrafTech is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered graphite electrodes, which are critical consumable components for electric arc furnaces (EAF) in steel production. It's like Intel supplying the essential processors that power computers, but for the industrial steelmaking process.

2. DuPont for specialized carbon materials in steelmaking: GrafTech produces highly specialized, high-performance graphite materials (electrodes) essential for specific industrial processes like electric arc furnace steelmaking, much like DuPont develops and supplies a wide array of critical advanced materials for various industries.

• Graphite Electrodes: These are consumable components primarily used in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) to melt scrap steel and other materials for new steel production.

GrafTech International (symbol: EAF) primarily sells its products, high-quality graphite electrodes, to other companies.

The company's customer base consists primarily of:

• Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Steel Manufacturers: These are industrial companies that produce steel using the electric arc furnace method, which requires graphite electrodes. GrafTech serves a diverse global customer base of approximately 250 EAF steel manufacturers. While GrafTech's 2023 annual report (10-K) indicated that two customers individually accounted for over 10% of its net sales in 2023, the company does not publicly disclose the names of these specific customer companies due to confidentiality agreements. Therefore, specific names and symbols of these major customers cannot be provided.
• Industrial Distributors: GrafTech also utilizes industrial distributors to reach and serve smaller steel manufacturers globally.

• Ankerpak Inc.
• GrafTech USA, LLC

Timothy K. Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer, President & Director

Mr. Flanagan was appointed Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of GrafTech International Ltd. on March 26, 2024. Prior to this, he served as interim Chief Executive Officer and President from November 2023 to March 2024, and as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance, and Treasurer from November 2021 to November 2023. Before joining GrafTech, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a flat-rolled steel producer, from January 2017 to February 2019, having held various financial leadership roles there since 2008. He also served as CFO at the law firm Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff from June 2019 to November 2021. His involvement as CFO and Treasurer at GrafTech during a "Brookfield driven process" suggests experience with companies potentially backed by private equity.

Rory O'Donnell, Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President

Mr. O'Donnell joined GrafTech International Ltd. as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, effective September 3, 2024. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President, Controller, and Principal Accounting Officer of Covia Corporation from February 2019, also acting as interim CFO from August 2022 to July 2023. His career also includes a role as Senior Vice President, Controller at Signet Jewelers Limited from 2014 to 2019, and Director, Accounting & Reporting at Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. He began his career at KPMG LLP. His experience includes leadership roles at companies that have undergone restructuring, such as Covia and Signet Jewelers, which can be indicative of involvement with companies in situations often associated with private equity or significant financial transitions.

Jeremy S. Halford, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Halford has served as GrafTech's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President since 2021. Prior to this, he was the Senior Vice President of Operations and Development at the company. His previous experience also includes serving as Vice President of Global Business Development at Doncasters Group Ltd from 2013 to 2014 and as President of Mayfran International from 2012 to 2013.

Andrew J. Renacci, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary

Mr. Renacci has been the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of GrafTech International Ltd. since 2025. Before taking on this role, he held positions as Interim Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Senior Corporate Counsel at GrafTech. Earlier in his career, he worked in the corporate and securities group at Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP.

Iñigo Perez Ortiz, Senior Vice President, Commercial

Mr. Perez Ortiz joined GrafTech as Senior Vice President, Commercial in February 2020. His background includes extensive experience at Alcoa Corporation, where he served as Vice President, Europe and Asia, Sales and Customer Service since 2017. Prior to that, he held roles such as Commercial Director, Europe and Asia Pacific (2011-2017), Sales Manager, Europe (2007-2011), and Sales Office Manager (2002-2007) at Alcoa.

The key risks to GrafTech International (EAF) are primarily centered on market dynamics for its core product, supply chain vulnerabilities, and intense industry competition.

1. Global Graphite Electrode Overcapacity and Pricing Pressure: GrafTech International faces significant risk from global overcapacity in the graphite electrode industry, which has historically and is currently adversely affecting graphite electrode prices, sales, margins, and overall profitability. Persistent global oversupply, particularly due to low-priced Chinese exports, hinders GrafTech's ability to achieve sustainable margins. Spot prices for graphite electrodes have been materially and adversely affecting the company's business, with further declines possible.
2. Dependence on Petroleum Needle Coke Supply: A crucial risk for GrafTech is its reliance on petroleum needle coke, which is the primary raw material for producing graphite electrodes. Disruptions in the supply of petroleum needle coke, whether from its internal Seadrift facility or from external third-party sources, could lead to a significant deterioration in its operating results.
3. Intense Competition in the Graphite Industry: The graphite electrode industry is highly competitive, with competition primarily driven by price, product quality and performance, local market presence, product range, delivery reliability, and customer service. This rigorous price competition could result in a decline in GrafTech's market share, net sales, and net income. Furthermore, the potential reduction or non-extension of existing U.S. and EU anti-dumping duties and tariffs against imports from China and India could materially and adversely impact GrafTech's financial results, cash flow, liquidity, and overall financial condition.

GrafTech International (EAF) primarily operates in the global markets for graphite electrodes and petroleum needle coke. The company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products, essential for the production of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. GrafTech is also substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, a key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing.

Graphite Electrodes

• The global graphite electrodes market size was estimated to be between USD 4.25 billion and USD 14.30 billion in 2024.
• Projections indicate the global market is expected to grow to a range of USD 6.95 billion by 2032 and USD 20.54 billion by 2033, with Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) ranging from 3.5% to 6.48% during the forecast periods.
• Regionally, Asia-Pacific dominates the graphite electrodes market, holding over 45% to 70% of the global share in 2024.
• North America accounted for approximately 18% of the global market in 2024.
• Europe represents about 20% of global consumption.

Petroleum Needle Coke

• The global needle coke market size was estimated to be between USD 4.4 billion and USD 6.6 billion in 2024.
• The market is projected to grow to a range of USD 6.7 billion by 2033 and USD 12 billion by 2034, with CAGRs generally ranging from 4.57% to 15.11% during the forecast periods.
• Asia-Pacific is the leading region in the needle coke market, commanding 88.31% of the market in 2024 and is projected to continue with a high CAGR through 2030.
• The U.S. led the North American needle coke market with a 94% share, generating USD 2.3 billion in 2024.
• The European needle coke market is expected to exceed USD 1.3 billion by 2034.

GrafTech International (EAF) is expected to experience future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years driven by several key factors:

1. Increased Sales Volume, particularly in the United States: GrafTech has a strategic focus on expanding its sales volume and market share, with a notable shift towards the U.S. market. The company achieved a 9% year-over-year increase in overall sales volume for the third quarter of 2025 and a significant 53% year-over-year growth in U.S. sales volume during the same period. Year-to-date, U.S. sales volume growth was 39% compared to the previous year. GrafTech anticipates a low-double-digit percentage point year-over-year increase in its total sales volume for the full year 2025. This strategy is expected to result in cumulative sales volume growth of over 20% since the end of 2023.
2. Long-term Demand Growth from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Steelmaking Decarbonization: The company is confident that the steel industry's decarbonization efforts will lead to increased adoption of the electric arc furnace method of steelmaking, which in turn will drive long-term demand growth for graphite electrodes.
3. Growth of the 800-millimeter Electrode Product Offering: GrafTech successfully launched its 800-millimeter product offering in 2024, which is anticipated to be a significant growth platform in the coming years.
4. Favorable Steel Industry Trends and Trade Protections in Europe: World Steel projects a return of steel demand growth in Europe for 2026, forecasting a 3.2% increase. This growth is attributed to factors such as increased investment in infrastructure and defense spending. Additionally, new trade protection measures announced by the European Commission, effective next year, are expected to cut steel import quotas by 47% and significantly increase out-of-quota tariffs, which should drive higher levels of domestic steel production in this key region for GrafTech.
5. Expected Recovery in Global Steel Production: Although near-term demand for graphite electrodes in key regions is expected to remain relatively flat, World Steel forecasts overall steel demand growth in the U.S. of 1.8% in 2026, driven by pent-up demand for residential construction and easing financing conditions. A general recovery in global steel production would directly translate to increased demand for GrafTech's graphite electrodes.

Share Repurchases

• A share buyback program of $150 million was initiated on November 4, 2021, supplemented by an additional $13 million remaining from a prior authorization.
• As of August 30, 2022, $99 million remained authorized for future share repurchases under this program.
• No shares were repurchased in 2024, despite the continued authorization of the $99 million program.

Share Issuance

• A 1-for-10 reverse stock split became effective on August 29, 2025, which reduced the total number of authorized common shares from 3,000,000,000 to 300,000,000 and preferred shares from 300,000,000 to 30,000,000.
• The number of shares outstanding increased by 0.48% in the year leading up to November 5, 2025.

Inbound Investments

• Institutional investors collectively owned 60% of GrafTech International's stock as of September 15, 2025.
• Franklin Resources Inc. significantly increased its stake in GrafTech International by 57.2% during the second quarter of 2025, acquiring an additional 2,594,562 shares.
• Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. made a new investment in GrafTech International during the first quarter of 2025, valued at $1,433,000.

Capital Expenditures

• Capital expenditures amounted to $54 million in 2023.
• Capital expenditures were $34 million in 2024.
• Expected capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are projected to be approximately $40 million, with a primary focus on managing working capital levels and supporting the business amidst the steel industry's decarbonization efforts and the anticipated increase in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking.