纯碱：长期过剩，短期边际转好

Group 1 - The supply of soda ash remains in excess, requiring upstream low operating rates to maintain supply-demand balance, with high visible inventory levels in the midstream and upstream sectors [1][5] - Domestic soda ash is in a capacity expansion cycle, with new capacity of 2.5 million tons expected in 2024 and an additional 900,000 tons in the first quarter of 2025, leading to an overall effective capacity growth rate of approximately 5.6% by 2025 [2][4] - From August 2024, due to domestic soda ash surplus and declining prices, the export window has opened, with some producers actively exploring overseas markets, resulting in a net export status for soda ash [2][4] Group 2 - The float glass production is currently at a low level, with significant losses reported since July 2024, leading to an increase in cold repairs and a decrease in daily melting capacity from 170,000 tons to 158,000 tons [3] - The photovoltaic glass sector is experiencing a rebound, with daily melting capacity increasing to around 100,000 tons by the end of April 2025, although inventory levels are rising, which may hinder further increases [3] - Light soda ash demand growth is projected at 7.2% for 2024, but the growth rate for 2025 is expected to be lower at around 5.2%, with a year-on-year decline of 7.8% observed from January to April 2025 [3] Group 3 - The long-term outlook for soda ash remains oversupplied, with significant new production capacity planned for 2025, including 4.05 million tons from various producers [4] - The current high levels of visible inventory in the upstream sector indicate that while there may be short-term rebounds, sustained low operating rates will be necessary to maintain balance [5] - The forecasted operating rate for 2025 is approximately 83.7%, down from 86.4% in 2024, indicating a continued oversupply situation for soda ash [4]