轻烃芳烃产业以“优”制胜

Core Viewpoint - The light hydrocarbon and aromatic industry in China has achieved significant growth, but it faces challenges such as "increased revenue without increased profit" and intense international competition. The industry aims to transition from a focus on scale to a focus on quality during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [1][4]. Group 1: Industry Achievements - The light hydrocarbon and aromatic industry has maintained the world's largest production capacity, with ethylene and paraxylene capacities reaching 54.55 million tons/year and 42.77 million tons/year, accounting for 24.2% and 50.8% of global capacity, respectively [2]. - The self-sufficiency rates for ethylene and paraxylene have improved to 69.1% and 80.2%, respectively, enhancing the security of the supply chain [2]. - The industry has seen continuous optimization in layout, with major refining and chemical integration projects concentrating along coastal bases [2]. - Significant technological innovations have been achieved, including advancements in methanol-to-olefins technology and the domestic production of high-end electronic chemicals [2][3]. Group 2: Environmental and Economic Challenges - The industry has experienced a decline in profitability since 2021, with the "increased revenue without increased profit" issue becoming more pronounced [4]. - The market supply-demand relationship has become imbalanced, leading to severe competition among enterprises and a decline in profit margins [4]. - The industry faces multiple challenges, including uncertainties from global supply chain restructuring, resource constraints, and increasing pressure to meet carbon neutrality goals [4][5]. Group 3: Future Opportunities and Strategies - The rise of new economic sectors, such as the automotive industry and renewable energy, presents significant downstream opportunities for the industry [6]. - The chemical new materials sector is expected to grow at over 7% during the 14th Five-Year Plan, with some products projected to grow by 15% to 20% [6]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has initiated a program to promote innovation in key fine chemical products, which will support the industry's transition to high-end materials [6][7]. - The industry aims to enhance its competitiveness by focusing on high-end manufacturing and technological innovation, particularly in areas like high-performance materials and low-carbon technologies [8][9].