光大证券研究·2025-12-13 00:06Core Insights - The glass industry is characterized by its heavy asset nature, with leading companies in float and photovoltaic glass having fixed assets and construction projects accounting for approximately 60% and 40% of their revenue respectively [4] - The supply side of the glass industry is subject to strict regulations, with the new 2024 policy prohibiting the addition of new flat glass capacity nationwide, emphasizing a zero-increment approach in key areas [4] - Demand for float glass is primarily driven by the real estate sector, with a forecasted contraction in demand over the next two to three years, although the rate of decline is expected to narrow [5] - The cost structure of the glass industry is heavily influenced by raw materials and energy, which together account for over 80% of total costs, leading to significant profit sensitivity to fluctuations in prices of soda ash and fuel [6] - Leading companies maintain competitive advantages through scale and vertical integration, with significant revenue gaps widening between top-tier firms and others in the industry [7][8] Supply Side Analysis - The glass production process is dominated by the float method, which accounts for 80%-90% of total production, while the upstream consists of inorganic raw materials like silica sand and soda ash [3] - The design lifespan of glass production lines is typically 8-10 years, necessitating continuous production once operational, which contributes to supply rigidity [4] - The cyclical nature of the glass supply side indicates that during upturns, supply is an independent variable, while in downturns, it becomes a dependent variable [4] Demand Side Analysis - The primary demand for float glass comes from housing construction and the automotive sector, with housing being the dominant factor [5] - The photovoltaic glass market is driven by the growth in solar installations and the penetration rate of dual-glass technology, with expectations of continued growth in global and Chinese solar installation capacity through 2030 [5] Cost Structure & Profitability - The profitability of float glass companies has seen a widening gap in gross margins, with leading firms experiencing a 14 percentage point increase to a 20 percentage point difference from 2015 to 2024 [6] - The photovoltaic glass sector shows a smaller margin difference, indicating a more stable competitive landscape compared to float glass [6] Competitive Advantage Analysis - Scale advantages and integrated supply chains are crucial for leading companies to maintain low-cost positions, with top firms like Xinyi Glass and Qibin Group showing significant revenue leadership [7][8] - Leading companies are increasing their self-supply ratios for raw materials, such as silica sand, to mitigate cost pressures and enhance profitability [8]