Rain Carbon Inc. produces coal tar pitch for use in the manufacture of graphite electrodes required in electric arc furnace steel production.

Graphite electrodes can be used in electric arc furnace steel production since they perform well in the severe heat and temperatures generated in this environment. Graphite electrodes also are used to refine steel in ladle furnaces and in other smelting processes.

Graphite electrodes are made from calcined needle coke and coal tar pitch (CTP). Binder-grade CTP is used in the first step of forming the electrodes. Impregnation-grade CTP is then used to increase the density, strength and conductivity of the electrode.

CTP also is used for the manufacture of other carbon products such as carbon electrodes, specialty graphite, isostatic-pressed graphite and Søderberg paste.