German carbon specialist SGL has said it will close its 30,000 t/y graphite electrodes plant at Lachute in Canada's Quebec province as part of its global restructuring program labeled SGL2015. Production will be ramped down from the end of 2013 and close completely in Q1 2014, the company said. Some 110 jobs will be lost.

SGL said the shutdown also reflects the need to reduce capacity to retain its cost leadership position, noting that demand for graphite electrodes has been weakening over the past five years.