聚乙烯行业遭受三重挤压

Core Viewpoint - The polyethylene industry in China is experiencing significant challenges, including price pressure, intensified competition, and squeezed profit margins, despite the growth in production capacity [1][2][3] Group 1: Price Pressure and Market Dynamics - The polyethylene market has not performed as expected this year, with the traditional peak season ("Golden September") failing to boost prices, leading to a general decline in price levels [1] - For instance, the average price of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film in North China dropped by 13.40% year-on-year in September, with prices decreasing by over 1,000 yuan per ton [1] Group 2: Capacity Growth and Industry Structure - China's polyethylene capacity has seen rapid development, increasing from 2.893 million tons in 2000 to 37.428 million tons by August 2025, significantly improving the self-sufficiency rate [2] - The emergence of large private integrated refining projects and the maturity of coal-to-olefins technology have diversified supply sources, with a compound annual growth rate of over 10% in capacity over the past five years [2] - By 2026, the total polyethylene capacity in China is expected to exceed 45 million tons, with 9.55 million tons of capacity under construction [2] Group 3: Structural Challenges and Future Directions - The industry faces significant structural contradictions, including severe low-end homogenization and insufficient high-end products, which hinder healthy development [2] - More than half of the newly added capacity in recent years has been concentrated in full-density and LLDPE facilities, severely squeezing overall profit margins [2] - High-end polyethylene products remain heavily reliant on imports, indicating a lack of domestic R&D and production capabilities in this area [2] Group 4: Strategic Recommendations - The polyethylene industry should shift focus from scale expansion to quality improvement, seeking breakthroughs in high-end products and building a more resilient industrial chain [3] - Emphasis should be placed on high-end and differentiated development, with increased investment in R&D and production of high-value-added products such as high-strength films and lithium battery separator materials [3] - The industry is expected to accelerate the construction of a new development pattern characterized by green, intelligent, and high-end growth amid ongoing adjustments [3]