Western Securities·2025-09-05 09:21Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Overweight" [8] Core Viewpoints - The two-piece can industry is currently at a historical low in profitability, with a gross margin in the low single digits. Compared to overseas leaders like Ball and Crown, which have gross margins around 20%, and domestic peaks in 2019 exceeding 10%, there is significant room for profit recovery. The industry is characterized by stable downstream demand and cash flow, justifying a DCF valuation approach. Key companies include Aorikin and Baosteel Packaging [5][6] - The integration of the two-piece can industry in Q1 2025 has led to an optimized competitive landscape. Following the acquisition of COFCO by Aorikin, the industry concentration increased from CR4=75% to CR3=75%, with Aorikin's market share approaching 40%. This consolidation is expected to improve profitability gradually as the industry shifts focus towards profit-oriented operations [6][36] - The demand for two-piece cans in China is projected to grow steadily, driven by an increase in the canning rate, which has risen from 21.2% in 2016 to 29.6% in 2024, still below the global average of 43.8%. The growth is supported by the rising share of non-immediate consumption in the beer market and ongoing product premiumization [5][22][29] Summary by Sections Two-Piece Can Industry: Steady Growth in Downstream Demand - The two-piece can industry is primarily driven by stable demand from the beer and carbonated beverage sectors, with beer accounting for approximately 50-60% and carbonated drinks for 20-30% of demand. The CAGR for beer can demand in China from 2019 to 2024 is about 4% [15][22] - The canning rate in China is expected to continue increasing, with a potential demand increase of 11 million, 53 million, and 107 million cans for every 1%, 5%, and 10% increase in the canning rate, respectively [23][27] Domestic Integration Review: Significant Improvement in Profitability Post-Integration - The recent integration in the two-piece can industry has led to a notable improvement in profitability. The industry is expected to see a slowdown in capacity growth, with Aorikin planning to relocate some production lines overseas, which will enhance domestic supply-demand dynamics [36][42] - Historical data shows that after the last round of integration from 2017 to 2019, the industry saw a recovery in profitability, with gross margins for key players like Baosteel Packaging and Aorikin reaching 13% and 10%, respectively, in 2019 [44][51] Benchmarking Against Overseas Leaders: Significant Room for Profitability Recovery - Comparing with overseas leaders like Ball and Crown, which have operating margins between 12%-17% in the Americas, the domestic industry has substantial room for improvement in profitability. The market is characterized by stable demand and good cash flow, supporting higher leverage ratios [61][67] Learning from the Cement Industry: Industry Self-Regulation to Drive Margin Recovery - The cement industry experienced a price recovery from 2016 to 2021, driven by supply-side policies and stable downstream demand. Similar conditions are emerging in the two-piece can industry, with potential for price increases as supply constraints and industry consolidation take effect [71][72][86]