不锈钢产业存量博弈加剧，高端产品缺口明显

Core Insights - The stainless steel industry in China is facing multiple pressures from raw materials, market conditions, and technology, leading to intense competition and reduced survival space for companies [1] Raw Material Dependency - Nickel and chromium are essential raw materials for stainless steel production, with China heavily reliant on imports, particularly from Indonesia and the Philippines [2][3] - China's dependence on imported nickel is as high as 95%, while chromium imports stand at over 98%, creating significant supply chain uncertainties [3] - The cost of nickel and chromium accounts for approximately 70% of stainless steel production costs, resulting in most profits being captured by foreign upstream mining and metallurgy companies [3] Supply and Demand Imbalance - The domestic stainless steel production capacity is expected to increase by about 7 million tons in 2024, with total capacity reaching 50 million tons, but the utilization rate is only around 70% [5] - The industry is experiencing overcapacity, leading to intensified competition and price pressures, with many companies facing a situation of "increased production without increased revenue" [6] - The recovery of the real estate sector is slow, and demand from related sectors like home appliances and automobiles is limited, contributing to a weak market [6] Product Value and Technological Challenges - Despite increased R&D investments in special steel, the industry still faces slow upgrades in product structure, with a low proportion of high-end products [7] - High-end products like nitrogen-controlled stainless steel and super duplex stainless steel are still largely imported, with a self-sufficiency rate not meeting the "14th Five-Year Plan" target of 85% [7] - There is a significant technological gap between leading companies and smaller firms, with many smaller enterprises still using traditional processes that result in lower material utilization rates [7] Environmental and Regulatory Pressures - The steel industry is under increasing pressure to meet stricter carbon emission requirements, necessitating greater investment in green technologies [8] - Some companies are struggling to achieve green development due to current profitability challenges, despite significant investments in energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies [8]