中金：关注国内外政策走向，2027年后乙烯有望迎来拐点

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese ethylene industry is currently in an expansion phase, with a projected capacity increase of nearly 25 million tons over the next three years. However, a significant supply gap of over 21 million tons is expected to persist until 2024, with an import dependency rate of 31% [2][5][28]. Group 1: Current Industry Status - China's ethylene capacity has grown from 28.54 million tons in 2019 to 53.74 million tons in 2024, with a net increase of over 25 million tons driven by the expansion of private refining and integrated projects [5][7]. - Despite rapid capacity expansion, the import dependency for downstream products remains high, with polyethylene and ethylene glycol import dependency rates at 34% and 26%, respectively [5][8]. - The planned capacity for new projects from 2025 to 2027 totals 24.82 million tons, with expected annual increases of 20%, 12%, and 9% for those years [7][25]. Group 2: Global Supply Dynamics - The global ethylene supply landscape is undergoing a transformation, with an estimated net increase in global capacity of approximately 1.13 million tons in 2025, 1.57 million tons in 2026, and 840,000 tons in 2027, reflecting growth rates of 4.9%, 6.5%, and 3.3% respectively [3][25]. - Significant capacity exits are anticipated in Europe and Japan, with a total of 597 to 830 million tons expected to be shut down between 2025 and 2027, representing 3-4% of global capacity [2][24][25]. - The exit of older, less competitive capacity in Europe and Japan is driven by high production costs, with European ethylene production costs estimated at $885 per ton, significantly higher than the $200-$350 per ton costs in the U.S. and Middle East [16][19]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The ethylene industry is expected to reach a turning point post-2027, with potential marginal improvements in the market as new capacity aligns more closely with demand growth, which has historically been around 3.5% annually [3][25]. - If domestic and international policies effectively control new capacity and restructure older facilities, the industry may see accelerated recovery and a shift towards net exports by 2027 [39][40]. - The Chinese ethylene market is projected to account for approximately 35% of global capacity by 2027-2028, with a significant portion of new capacity concentrated in China and the Middle East [28][29].