Changjiang Securities·2025-08-08 01:41Investment Rating - The investment rating for the chemical industry, specifically the soda ash sector, is "Positive" and maintained [15]. Core Insights - The report discusses why soda ash is considered a potential good sector for "anti-involution" in the chemical industry, the impact of real estate downturns on soda ash demand, factors driving capacity reduction in the soda ash industry, the emergence of natural soda ash resources in Inner Mongolia, the current market position of soda ash, the elasticity of listed companies in the sector, and highlights of the leading natural soda ash company, Boyuan Chemical [3][7]. Summary by Sections Why is soda ash considered a potential good sector for "anti-involution"? - Soda ash has a global pricing mechanism, and after recent price declines, it has shown a "sales radius" effect. Domestic overproduction has led to a downturn in market conditions, while downstream applications like photovoltaic glass have significant overseas demand, making it a typical "involution" industry. The price of soda ash has dropped significantly since its peak in 2021, with many leading companies reporting losses in recent quarters. The cost curve for soda ash is steep, indicating a clear competitive disparity among companies, which may lead to market exit for less competitive players. The overall operating rate for soda ash remains around 80%, suggesting limited overcapacity and manageable exit challenges. Additionally, potential policy measures related to energy consumption and facility upgrades could accelerate industry clearing from "involution" [7][27]. How to view the impact of real estate downturn on soda ash? - The demand for soda ash from flat glass is declining, with projections indicating that it will account for about 30% of soda ash demand by 2024. Considering the demand from automotive glass and renovation needs, the impact of real estate completions on soda ash demand is estimated to be around 20%. In a pessimistic scenario where completions drop to 50-60% in 2024, the impact on soda ash demand could be approximately 8-10%. However, emerging sectors such as photovoltaic glass, lithium carbonate, and other long-tail demands are expected to effectively offset the decline in real estate demand [8][28]. What factors may drive capacity reduction in the soda ash industry? - Energy consumption and facility upgrades are seen as key drivers for "anti-involution" in the soda ash sector. The proportion of soda ash production capacity that meets energy efficiency benchmarks is still below the guidelines set by the National Development and Reform Commission. Additionally, 31% of soda ash facilities are over 20 years old, which is relatively high compared to other chemical sub-industries [9][52]. What is the impact of the emergence of natural soda ash resources in Inner Mongolia? - The report estimates that even with the planned production of natural soda ash, synthetic processes will still dominate the market. The pricing is expected to be anchored around the full cost of synthetic processes. The supply increase from the natural soda ash project is not anticipated to impact the market significantly until after 2028 [10][64]. What is the current market position of soda ash? - The current market conditions for soda ash are at a low point, with price differentials nearing historical lows and a safety margin in place. Many related listed companies have reported losses in recent quarters, with companies like Shandong Haihua, Xue Tian Salt Industry, and Zhongyan Chemical experiencing declining performance [11][44]. How elastic are listed companies in the soda ash sector, and what are the main recommended stocks? - At the industry bottom, the report recommends investing in Boyuan Chemical, a leading natural soda ash company with cost advantages. It also suggests monitoring the progress of the Naimanqi soda ash project by Zhongyan Chemical and potential developments regarding the leading natural soda ash company [12][62]. What are the highlights of the leading natural soda ash company, Boyuan Chemical? - Boyuan Chemical has three main highlights: growth potential, high dividend payout potential due to cost advantages, and price elasticity options. The company has been generous with dividends, with a payout ratio exceeding 5% in 2024, and has shown a declining debt ratio, indicating strong future cash flow. With the second phase of its project expected to contribute additional capacity, the company is positioned for substantial dividend potential and price elasticity [13][66].