Chan Ye Xin Xi Wang·2025-07-04 01:29Industry Overview - Polyether polyols are essential raw materials for polyurethane, widely used in furniture, automotive, home appliances, and building insulation industries [1][12] - In 2024, China's polyether polyol production is projected to reach 5.48 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 7.07% [1][12] - Despite reaching a record high, the industry's capacity utilization rate remains below 70%, with intense competition in low-end products [1][12] - High-end specialty polyethers account for less than 30% of the market, with an import dependency exceeding 15%, indicating significant room for industrial upgrades [1][12] Industry Development History - The development of China's polyether polyol industry has gone through four stages, starting from 1980 to 1992, with the establishment of the largest polyether facility in Tianjin [4] - From 1993 to 1999, the industry experienced rapid growth, with production capacity reaching 260,000 tons per year by the end of 1996, a nearly 50% increase from 1994 [4] - The period from 2000 to 2010 focused on technological innovation, with significant advancements in production techniques and government support for new materials [4] - Since 2010, the industry has entered a phase of green development, with production capacity reaching 7.85 million tons by 2023, but with a capacity utilization rate of only about 63.16% [5][6] Industry Chain - The upstream of the polyether polyol industry includes basic chemical raw materials such as propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, as well as initiators and catalysts [8] - The midstream involves the production and manufacturing of polyether polyols, while the downstream applications span automotive, soft furniture, and footwear sectors [8] Current Industry Status - The demand for polyether polyols is driven by the continuous growth of the Chinese economy and consumption upgrades, leading to a steady increase in production [12] - The industry faces challenges such as low-end product homogenization and a need for higher-end product development [12] Key Companies' Performance - Wanhua Chemical, as a leading player, holds a 7% market share in the domestic polyether polyol market, with a production capacity of 1.59 million tons per year [14][16] - Longhua New Material focuses on high solid content and low VOC products, achieving a revenue of 5.513 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 12.28% [18] Industry Development Trends 1. Accelerated Green Transformation and High-end Development - The industry is moving towards green low-carbon transformation, with leading companies investing in bio-based raw material technologies [20] - Wanhua Chemical plans to establish a 100,000-ton/year bio-based polyether facility by 2025, reducing carbon emissions by 40% compared to traditional methods [20] 2. Diversification of Market Demand and Structural Upgrades - The demand structure is evolving, with traditional soft foam polyols growing slowly while new applications in cold chain logistics and electric vehicles are surging [21][22] 3. Integration of Industry Chain and Deepening Global Layout - The industry concentration is increasing, with leading companies enhancing cost advantages through vertical integration [23] - Wanhua Chemical has achieved over 80% self-sufficiency in propylene oxide, significantly reducing costs compared to purchasing raw materials [23]