中国焚烧厂，高价抢垃圾

Core Insights - The Chinese waste incineration industry is facing a "garbage shortage," with many facilities forced to excavate old landfills or purchase waste at high prices to maintain operations [1][6][11] - Despite having the highest waste incineration capacity globally, with a daily capacity of 1.11 million tons, the industry is experiencing significant underutilization, with an average load rate of only 60% and 40% of capacity idle [2][5][20] - The rapid expansion of incineration capacity has led to a disconnect between capacity and actual waste processing, resulting in over 83,467 days of planned shutdowns in 2023 [5][12][20] Industry Overview - China's waste incineration capacity has increased dramatically, with the number of incineration plants growing nearly ninefold and processing capacity increasing 16 times over the past 13 years [20][18] - The shift from "garbage encirclement" to "garbage shortage" reflects a significant change in the waste management landscape, with incineration becoming the dominant method of waste disposal, rising from 32.51% in 2014 to 82.49% in 2023 [15][3] - The industry is characterized by a concentration of facilities in eastern regions, leading to imbalances in waste availability and further exacerbating the "garbage shortage" [21][23] Competitive Dynamics - A "garbage competition" has emerged among incineration plants, with some facilities offering incentives to waste management companies to secure waste [6][7] - Companies are also looking overseas for waste, with several firms establishing incineration projects in countries like Vietnam, Singapore, and India [7][6] - The practice of "co-firing" involves mixing other combustible waste with municipal solid waste to optimize incineration capacity and reduce disposal costs [8] Economic Factors - The waste incineration industry is highly profitable, with revenue streams from waste disposal fees, electricity sales, and government subsidies [27][30] - The average gross profit margin for established companies can range from 30% to 50%, supported by a stable operational cost structure and long-term contracts [31][30] - Despite the apparent profitability, the industry faces challenges in addressing overcapacity without resorting to artificially increasing waste generation [34][11]