氧化铝有必要设置产能天花板吗？

Core Viewpoint - China's aluminum oxide industry is facing a significant challenge of overcapacity, despite being the largest producer globally, with major companies dominating the market [1][8]. Group 1: Current Capacity and Demand - China's aluminum oxide production capacity has reached 110.85 million tons, a 66.82% increase since 2015, and is expected to see an additional 10 million tons by 2026, exacerbating the overcapacity issue [2][9]. - Approximately 95% of aluminum oxide is used for producing electrolytic aluminum, with a theoretical maximum demand of about 86.63 million tons based on a consumption rate of 1.925 tons of aluminum oxide per ton of electrolytic aluminum [4][11]. - The current overcapacity stands at approximately 2.42 million tons, leading to an expected operating rate of 81% in 2024, indicating that nearly 20% of the capacity will remain idle [4][11]. Group 2: Historical Context and Policy - The historical development of China's electrolytic aluminum industry has seen significant growth, with a production increase from 342,000 tons in 2001 to a controlled capacity of around 4.5 million tons due to government policies aimed at curbing overcapacity [5][12]. - The introduction of policies in 2013 and subsequent years established a capacity ceiling for electrolytic aluminum, effectively controlling the expansion of production and ensuring a more stable industry environment [6][12]. Group 3: Industry Response and Future Considerations - There is a call for intervention in the aluminum oxide sector to prevent blind investments and promote consolidation among major enterprises to enhance competitiveness [13]. - However, the necessity of establishing a capacity ceiling for aluminum oxide is debated, as the existing demand already reflects a "hidden" ceiling based on electrolytic aluminum production needs [13][14].