Core Viewpoint - The domestic glass industry is undergoing a significant transformation in its fuel structure, shifting towards a diversified model dominated by natural gas, with petroleum coke and coal gasification as important supplements [1][2] Fuel Structure - As of mid-2025, 59.38% of the national float glass production capacity will utilize natural gas, particularly dominant in North and East China [1] - Petroleum coke accounts for 20.77% of the fuel mix, concentrated in Central and South China, while coal gasification holds an 18.00% share, mainly in North, Northwest, and Northeast China [1] Driving Forces - The primary driver of this fuel structure change is environmental policy, particularly the "Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Action Plan," which promotes the replacement of traditional fuels with cleaner energy sources [2] - Fuel costs, which constitute 30% to 40% of total production costs, significantly influence companies' fuel choices [2] - Despite natural gas being the mainstream choice, high gas prices have led to losses for companies using it, while those using coal gasification have seen better profits due to lower coal prices [2] Industry Dynamics - The competition between old and new production capacities is reshaping the industry landscape, with older natural gas-fired facilities being the most affected by recent shutdowns [2] - A structural contradiction exists where the push for natural gas due to environmental policies is challenged by the high costs that older facilities cannot sustain [2] Future Outlook - Regional policies are accelerating the transition, such as Hubei's timeline for converting petroleum coke to natural gas, which will significantly alter the fuel composition in Central and South China [3] - The industry is exploring advanced low-carbon technologies, including all-electric melting technology for daily glass and all-oxygen combustion technology for float glass, which has been adopted as industry standards [3] - Hydrogen technology is in the research and demonstration phase, representing a long-term direction towards zero-carbon manufacturing [3] Local Initiatives - In Hebei's Shahe glass industry, the energy transition is not a straightforward switch from coal to natural gas but involves a mixed replacement strategy centered on coal gasification, supplemented by pipeline natural gas [4] - The Zhengkang Clean Gas Project, funded by local enterprises, is a key player in this energy transition, having commenced operations in March 2025 [3][4] Economic Considerations - The choice of coal gasification as a core path is based on multiple factors, including cost advantages and resource endowments, making it more economically viable than relying solely on natural gas [4] - The transition to cleaner energy sources is expected to increase production costs, leading companies to face tough decisions on whether to invest in upgrades or temporarily shut down older lines [4] Industry Collaboration - Industry chain collaboration is becoming a core trend, with companies building upstream and downstream relationships to enhance operational efficiency [5] - Financial capital is increasingly integrated into the industry, with government initiatives supporting credit for industrial upgrades [5] - Collaborative efforts between government, universities, and enterprises are focused on overcoming technical challenges and nurturing talent for innovation [5] Competitive Landscape - The industry is shifting from homogeneous competition to product differentiation, with leading companies moving towards high-value specialty glass sectors [5] - Despite the focus on high-end products, price wars remain intense, with some manufacturers resorting to price cuts to recover cash flow, leading to market price distortions [5] - Operational efficiency is becoming crucial, with companies utilizing innovative inventory management strategies to enhance cost control [5] Overall Industry Direction - The future development path of the Shahe glass industry is clearly oriented towards high-end, intelligent, green, and financialized operations, with collaboration aimed at resource aggregation and competition driving firms towards high-value sectors [6]
方向已然明确
Qi Huo Ri Bao·2025-11-20 01:33