薛涛：环保行业不是“内卷”，而是出清和优胜劣汰

Core Viewpoint - The current situation in the environmental protection industry should be defined as market clearing or survival of the fittest, rather than "involution" [1][5]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The environmental protection industry is not experiencing traditional overproduction issues, as it primarily operates in a customized field where most products are tailored to specific projects [3][4]. - The decline in market demand is attributed to the peak of environmental governance intensity having passed, particularly affecting municipal infrastructure and industrial pollution control sectors [3][6]. - The industry is entering a natural clearing phase due to reduced demand and financial pressures on local governments, leading to a situation where supply exceeds demand [6][10]. Group 2: Policy Implications - The recent "anti-involution" measures proposed by the government are expected to extend to other industries, prompting environmental companies to prepare accordingly [2][4]. - The environmental protection sector is not included in the ten key industries mentioned by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, but the implications of these policies will still affect it [2][4]. Group 3: Industry Structure - The environmental protection industry lacks a high concentration of leading firms, and regional market segmentation persists, preventing the formation of a monopolistic market structure [4][9]. - The industry is characterized by a reliance on external funding, as it is a public service sector that cannot achieve self-financing [6][10]. Group 4: Future Trends - Despite challenges, new companies continue to enter the environmental sector, including major state-owned enterprises that leverage their advantages to secure contracts [10][11]. - The presence of large state-owned construction companies in the environmental sector may disrupt existing operational norms, as they focus on the construction aspect of projects while outsourcing technical services [11].