纯碱再创新低 暂难言见底

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that despite the significant decline in soda ash futures prices, the oversupply situation in the market remains unresolved, making it difficult for prices to find a bottom [1] - Soda ash futures prices have dropped from a peak of 1640 yuan/ton to a low of 1251 yuan/ton, representing a decline of 23.7% [1] - The production cost of soda ash has decreased significantly due to falling raw material prices, particularly for salt and coal, which are key components of production costs [2][3] Group 2 - The price of raw salt, which accounts for about 25% of soda ash production costs, has fallen from 340 yuan/ton to 210 yuan/ton, a decrease of 38.2% [2] - Coal prices have also declined, with the price of 5500 kcal thermal coal dropping from 670 yuan/ton to 410 yuan/ton, a decline of 38.8% [3] - As of May 23, the production cost for soda ash using the ammonia-soda method in North China is 1285 yuan/ton, down 25.3% from 1720 yuan/ton [4] Group 3 - New production capacities are being successfully launched, contributing to an increase in soda ash supply, which exacerbates the oversupply situation [7] - Recent data shows that soda ash exports have increased significantly, with April 2025 exports reaching 17.06 million tons, a 112% increase compared to the same period last year [9] - However, the demand for glass, a major end-use for soda ash, remains weak, particularly due to declining prices in the real estate sector [9] Group 4 - The current production profits for soda ash are still positive despite the price drop, which may lead to further capacity additions rather than reductions [10] - The industry may not find a bottom until production costs force less efficient producers out of the market, particularly those using the ammonia-soda method, which has the highest production costs [10] - The price of soda ash may need to fall below 1200 yuan/ton to trigger a reduction in production capacity, with a potential target range of 1100-1150 yuan/ton to achieve supply-demand balance [10]