下游投产节奏放缓，供应宽松格局持续

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - The investment rating for the propylene industry in 2026 is "Neutral" for single - side trading [2][11] 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In 2026, the fundamental pressure on propylene's market is difficult to change, with prices expected to oscillate weakly, refinery profits shrinking, and PDH profits gradually contracting. Although the demand increment from downstream propylene projects in 2026 is greater than the propylene production capacity increase, most downstream projects are scheduled for the fourth quarter. Therefore, the supply - demand situation will remain loose in the first half of the year, and attention should be paid to the PL03 - 05 inter - period reverse arbitrage opportunity. With the peak of downstream production capacity coming in the second half of the year, propylene inventory may gradually be reduced [2][11] 3. Summaries According to Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Market News and Important Data - New Capacity: 2026 is still a propylene production capacity expansion period in China, but the growth rate is expected to slow down compared to 2025. The expected new propylene production capacity in 2026 is 7.36 million tons, with a nominal capacity growth rate of 9.3% (the actual capacity growth rate weighted by the commissioning time is about 4.4%), significantly lower than that in 2025 [6][25] - Supply Pattern: In 2025, China's propylene industry was in a rapid capacity expansion period, with new production capacity reaching 9.485 million tons, intensifying the market supply pressure. The supply in the Shandong market remained loose [6][35] - Import - Export Pattern: In 2025, China's propylene imports generally decreased, and the import dependence gradually declined. The cumulative import volume from January to October was 1.8349 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 14.96%, and the cumulative export volume was 26,900 tons, a year - on - year decrease of 61.67%. The import dependence is expected to further decline [7][53] - Demand Increment: The propylene demand converted from downstream new projects in 2026 is 8.24 million tons, with a nominal growth rate of 9.57%. However, due to the concentration of downstream projects in the fourth quarter, the weighted actual demand growth rate may be only 3.86%, lower than the actual growth rate of new propylene production capacity. The inventory pressure will persist in Q1 - Q2, and the inventory may gradually be reduced in the second half of the year [7][116] 3.2 Market Analysis - In 2025, propylene supply was at a high level, with high upstream inventory and continuous price pressure. The core factor was the lack of obvious highlights in terminal demand. In the short term, there was no obvious sign of demand improvement. In the first half of 2026, the focus was on digesting the existing high inventory, but the supply remained loose. Attention should be paid to the positive feedback from PDH device maintenance [8] 3.3 Propylene 2025 Market Review - The domestic propylene spot price showed a downward trend in 2025, affected by supply - demand and cost factors. The price trend can be divided into four stages: a decline from the beginning of the year to early June, a short - term increase from late June to early August, a sharp decline from October to early November, and a weak rebound at the end of the year [17] - The propylene futures price showed a fluctuating downward trend, affected by the loose supply - demand situation and weak international oil prices. The game between warehouse receipt registration and delivery was an important factor affecting the futures price [18] 3.4 2026 China Propylene Commissioning Situation - From 2021 - 2025, the compound growth rate of propylene production capacity was 11.97%, with 9.485 million tons of new capacity in 2025, a growth rate of 13.6%. In 2026, the new capacity is expected to be 7.36 million tons, with a nominal growth rate of 9.3% (actual growth rate about 4.4%), lower than that in 2025 [25] 3.5 Propylene Supply Pattern and Production Profit Analysis - In 2025, the propylene supply was loose due to capacity expansion. The low - point of propylene operation mainly occurred in mid - to - late May, affected by PDH device maintenance. The profit of major refineries and PDH devices was compressed, which dragged down the operation rate, while the coal - based operation was less affected by profit [35][49] 3.6 Propylene Import - Export Pattern Analysis - In 2025, China's propylene imports decreased, and the import dependence declined. The import window remained closed, and the domestic price advantage was obvious. The import dependence is expected to further decrease [53] 3.7 Propylene Upstream Raw Material Propane Pattern Analysis - The price of propane had a significant impact on the profit of domestic PDH devices. In 2025, the propane price fluctuated greatly, affected by factors such as Sino - US tariffs, market demand, and supply. The price decline in the second half of the year compressed the profit of PDH devices and led to a decline in the operation rate [70] 3.8 Propylene Downstream Pattern Analysis - Downstream Profit and Demand: In 2025, the profit of propylene downstream products shrank, and the demand support was weak. Downstream factories mainly purchased propylene on a rigid - demand basis, putting downward pressure on the propylene price [86] - 2026 Downstream Commissioning Situation: In 2026, the commissioning pace of propylene downstream projects slowed down. The converted propylene demand from downstream new projects was 8.24 million tons, with a nominal growth rate of 9.57%. However, the weighted actual demand growth rate may be only 3.86%, lower than the actual growth rate of new propylene production capacity. The inventory pressure will persist in the first half of the year and may be reduced in the second half [109][116] 3.9 Propylene and Downstream Inventory Situation and Outlook - In 2025, the propylene inventory remained high, and the high - production growth rate may continue in 2026. The inventory pressure of propylene and its downstream products such as PP and acrylonitrile will persist in the first half of 2026, but the PP inventory may be reduced in the first half of 2026 due to the slowdown of new capacity commissioning [117]