Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [2] Core Insights - The waste incineration industry has entered a mature phase, characterized by a focus on operational excellence in a saturated market. As of 2024, there are 1,064 waste incineration plants in China, with a market size of approximately 73 billion. The rapid saturation of processing capacity has led to a shrinking incremental space for growth, pushing the industry towards consolidation of quality projects and operational efficiency [4][20]. - Capital expenditures are declining while heating revenue is increasing, leading to improved cash flow that supports dividend potential. The overall free cash flow of the industry has turned positive and continues to grow, providing a solid financial foundation for companies to increase dividends. The rapid growth of heating services has also enhanced cash flow quality, further supporting dividend increases [4][33]. - The acceleration of overseas expansion and green electricity supply to data centers (IDC) is opening new value growth points for the industry. Domestic waste incineration companies possess significant competitive advantages for international expansion, particularly in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, where urbanization is increasing waste generation and incineration rates are low [5][36]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Maturity and Operational Focus - The waste incineration industry is transitioning into a mature phase, with operational excellence becoming the key competitive factor. The number of waste incineration plants has increased from 47 in 2003 to 1,064 by 2024, with a market size of around 73 billion [4][20]. - The industry is witnessing two core trends: mergers and acquisitions are becoming essential for growth, and leading companies are shifting from scale expansion to efficiency improvement [4][20]. 2. Cash Flow Improvement and Dividend Potential - The operational revenue of waste incineration projects consists of waste treatment service fees, electricity sales, and heating revenue. The focus on heating services is becoming a critical path for enhancing profit margins and cash flow levels [23][26]. - The overall free cash flow of the industry is improving, allowing companies to increase dividend payouts. The combination of stable cash flow and improved operational efficiency is enhancing the dividend capabilities and willingness of leading companies [33][35]. 3. International Expansion and Green Electricity Supply - Domestic waste incineration companies are well-positioned for international expansion, particularly in regions like Central Asia and Southeast Asia, where there is a growing demand for waste management solutions [5][36]. - The collaboration between waste incineration and IDC is being facilitated by favorable policies and the growing demand for stable green electricity supply, which aligns well with the operational characteristics of waste incineration [42][44]. 4. Investment Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on companies that are entering stable operational phases, with declining capital expenditures and expanding heating services. The green electricity supply model for IDC is expected to create new valuation opportunities [49][50]. - Key companies to watch include Hanlan Environment, China Everbright Environment, and Junxin Co., which are expected to benefit from these trends [50].