Core Viewpoint - The polypropylene (PP) prices have declined unexpectedly after the traditional peak demand season, primarily due to weaker-than-expected demand and falling oil prices, leading the industry into a state of overall losses [1][5][11] Demand and Supply Analysis - The traditional peak demand season, known as "Golden September and Silver October," did not exhibit significant characteristics this year, with the global economic downturn impacting PP's essential demand [1][9] - In September, domestic plastic product output was 7.303 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 2.54%, marking two consecutive months of decline [1] - BOPP demand has shown limited improvement, with downstream sectors such as e-commerce, food packaging, and clothing packaging underperforming expectations, resulting in a 15% year-on-year decrease in orders for injection molding enterprises [3] - The PP industry is experiencing severe oversupply, with many companies, particularly PDH enterprises, reducing production or shutting down due to losses, which may help alleviate inventory pressure [9][11] Price and Profitability Trends - Oil prices have significantly dropped, with WTI crude oil falling from $78 per barrel to $55 per barrel, a nearly 30% decline, which has negatively impacted chemical products, including PP [5] - As of early November, the losses for various PP production methods are as follows: oil-based PP at 550 yuan/ton, coal-based PP at 300 yuan/ton, methanol-based PP at 1000 yuan/ton, propylene-based PP at 250 yuan/ton, and PDH-based PP at 800 yuan/ton [5] - The overall profitability of PP has been compressed, with the industry entering a comprehensive loss state [5][11] Production and Operational Insights - The PP maintenance season primarily occurs from April to July, with a notable increase in operating rates post-August, reaching over 85%. However, unplanned maintenance has led to a decline in operating rates below 85% in September and further down to 80% by the end of October, nearing historical lows [6][9] - The expansion of PP production capacity has mainly occurred in the first half of the year, resulting in limited market impact from new capacities in the second half, thus alleviating supply pressure [9][10] Trade Dynamics - In September, China's polypropylene imports reached 290,200 tons, a month-on-month increase of 17.49%, while cumulative imports from January to September totaled 2.4578 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 9.01% [10] - Conversely, September's polypropylene exports were 237,600 tons, a month-on-month decrease of 13.88%, with cumulative exports from January to September amounting to 2.3411 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 28.27% [10] - The changing import-export dynamics have somewhat alleviated domestic supply-demand imbalances, with some months seeing higher export volumes than imports, indicating a potential shift from a net importer to a net exporter of PP [10]
需求压制整体偏弱 聚丙烯继续下行空间不大
Qi Huo Ri Bao·2025-11-04 02:22