Nanhua Futures(SH:603093) Nan Hua Qi Huo·2025-12-21 13:37Group 1: Investment Rating - No investment rating for the industry is provided in the report. Group 2: Core Views - Since the listing of propylene futures on July 22, the price of the main contract has shown an overall downward trend, affected by factors such as a loose fundamental situation, weakened cost support, and sluggish downstream demand [1][7]. - In 2026, it is necessary to focus on the production progress of the industrial chain, the PDH's phased adjustment of the supply - demand balance, the slow - down of PP growth but persistent pressure, and changes in the import - export pattern [1][2]. - The expected price range of propylene in 2026 is between 5,400 - 6,400 yuan/ton [3]. - Recommended strategies include unilateral interval operations and variety - based interval operations such as PP - PL and PL/PG (FEI/CP) [3]. Group 3: Summary by Directory Chapter 2: Market Review - After the listing of propylene futures on July 22, the main contract price declined from a high of 6,694 yuan/ton to a low of 5,715 yuan/ton, driven by factors such as a shift to a loose fundamental situation, weakened cost support, and sluggish downstream PP demand [7]. - There were also some phased disturbance factors during the decline, including the "anti - involution" policy expectation and unstable device operations [7][8]. - The propylene basis fluctuated between - 250 and 250 yuan/ton. The futures price was affected by fundamental over - supply pressure and the weakening of the PP end, while the spot price was more sensitive to device changes [10]. - The spot price difference between propylene and polypropylene (PP) fluctuated significantly, while the futures price difference had a relatively narrow range. The PP - PL spread showed different trends at different times due to factors such as device maintenance and new capacity addition [12]. Chapter 3: Core Focus Points - 3.1 Production Growth Slowdown: From 2019 - 2025, the cumulative new propylene production capacity was about 45.87 million tons, with an average annual compound growth rate of 13%. As of now in 2025, the newly put - into - operation capacity is about 9.93 million tons, a 14.24% increase from 2024. In 2026, the planned new capacity is about 6 - 8 million tons, with a growth rate of 7.5% - 10%. The upstream - downstream integration trend is significant, and the actual supply - demand difference is also related to the start - up situation of upstream and downstream [14][16][18]. - 3.2 PDH's Phased Adjustment of Supply - Demand Balance: PDH and refinery catalytic cracking devices have a greater impact on the propylene trading market. In 2025, the overall PDH operating rate was around 71%, with profit being the core driving factor. In 2026, low profit may become the norm, and some enterprises under greater operating pressure may arrange maintenance. Attention should be paid to enterprises with frequent start - stop operations and those that can significantly affect regional prices [20][21][23]. - 3.3 PP Growth Slowdown but Persistent Pressure: The price of the propylene main contract is highly correlated with the PP futures price. In 2025, the total production capacity of polypropylene powder and granules reached 57.85 million tons, with a growth rate of 10.82%. In 2026, the planned new production capacity is 3.6 - 4.4 million tons, mainly concentrated in the second half of the year. Attention should be paid to the production rhythm, maintenance, and capacity clearance on the supply side, as well as domestic demand resilience and export increments on the demand side [25]. - 3.4 Import - Export Pattern Changes: China is still a net importer of propylene. In January - October 2025, 1.83 million tons were imported, with 1.25 million tons from South Korea, accounting for 68.31% of the total imports. South Korea plans to restructure its petrochemical business, which may lead to a reduction in China's propylene imports from South Korea and have a positive impact on the domestic supply - demand and price [30][31][33]. Chapter 3 (Continued) - 3.1 Valuation Feedback: PDH profit has room for repair. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the PDH profit space was significantly compressed. After the new year, some enterprises may arrange maintenance, and the PDH profit is expected to recover to some extent. The PP - PL spread is oscillating at a low level, and there may be some room for expansion in the future if PP device maintenance increases [36][38]. - 3.2 Supply - Demand Outlook: From January - November 2025, the domestic propylene production was 55.35 million tons, a 13.82% year - on - year increase, with an average operating rate of 74%. In 2026, the production is expected to remain high, and the supply will remain loose. The demand side is affected by the over - supply pressure of PP and other downstream industries, and the over - supply pressure will increase with new capacity addition [40][42]. - Shandong Market Balance: The supply in the Shandong market is mainly affected by PDH and refinery catalytic cracking, with PDH having greater fluctuations. The demand is mainly affected by PP and PO. In 2026, attention should be paid to the operation of existing capacities on the supply side and the start - up of new downstream devices on the demand side [45][46].