Changjiang Securities·2026-02-26 15:17Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and maintained [13]. Core Insights - The global chemical industry is experiencing a clear trend of "East rising, West falling," with Europe facing challenges from high energy costs, carbon constraints, and industrial relocation, while China has firmly established itself as the leader in global chemical capacity [3][10]. - From 2004 to 2024, global chemical sales are projected to grow from €1.4 trillion to €5.0 trillion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%, significantly outpacing the global GDP growth rate of 1.9% [7][18]. - China's share of global chemical sales is expected to increase from 10% in 2004 to 46% in 2024, while the shares of the EU, the US, Japan, South Korea, and India will be 13%, 12%, 3%, 3%, and 3%, respectively [7][18]. Summary by Sections Global Chemical Overview - China leads the global chemical industry, with capital expenditures expected to reach €127 billion in 2024, accounting for 46.6% of the global total [7][20]. - Research and development (R&D) investment in China's chemical sector is projected to reach €18 billion in 2024, representing 31.0% of the global total [25][20]. Chemical Cycle and Market Dynamics - The global chemical industry is at a historical low in capital return rates and profit margins, with many companies implementing cost-cutting and restructuring measures in anticipation of a new economic upturn [8][30]. - The shift towards specialty chemicals is noted, as these products typically have lower commoditization and higher added value, allowing companies to avoid intense competition in the commodity chemicals market [30]. Cost Disparities and EU Capacity Exit - The EU chemical industry is projected to have sales of €635 billion in 2024, but its global market share has been declining for nearly 20 years due to high energy costs and regulatory pressures [9][43]. - The EU is expected to close approximately 37 million tons of chemical capacity from 2022 to 2025, representing 9% of its total capacity, with the petrochemical sector facing the highest closure rates [9][74]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on leading Chinese chemical companies such as Wanhua Chemical, Hualu Hengsheng, and others, as they are well-positioned to capitalize on the shifting dynamics of the global chemical industry [10][83].