Shell Global(US:SHEL) Zhong Guo Hua Gong Bao·2025-12-12 04:12Group 1 - The global chemical industry is experiencing a structural imbalance leading to a mismatch in supply and demand, resulting in a significant reduction in the number and total value of energy chemical project contracts, with the industry entering a deep adjustment cycle by 2025 [1] - The chemical sector is underperforming despite overall resilience in the global engineering construction industry, with new awarded and announced EPC contracts totaling only $7.65 billion in early 2025, down over 40% from $12.8 billion in 2024, which itself was nearly halved from $24.5 billion in 2023 [2] - Key drivers of the low sentiment in the chemical engineering construction industry include geopolitical conflicts, tariff barriers, slower-than-expected energy transition, and intensified market competition, leading to a "more monks than porridge" competitive landscape [2] Group 2 - WSP Global's chemical business accounted for 24% of its annual sales, while its resource business (including fertilizers and energy transition materials) made up 26%, with energy being the core revenue pillar at 50%. The company reported $12 billion in sales, a 4% year-on-year increase, but its chemical business saw a 14% decline to $3.05 billion [3] - The energy transition sector is facing a project halt, exemplified by Shell's termination of its biofuel plant in Rotterdam due to high construction costs and insufficient market competitiveness, and Fertiglobe's postponement of its low-carbon ammonia project in Abu Dhabi [4][5] - The construction cost pressures are significant, with a projected annual growth rate of 4% to 5% starting in 2025, driven by rising material and labor costs, exacerbated by tariffs on imported steel and geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains [6][7]