格力称空调不涨价、暂无铝代铜计划，中国空调业以铝节铜为何遇阻？

Core Viewpoint - Gree Electric Appliances announced that it will not raise air conditioner prices despite rising copper prices, indicating a strategic decision to maintain market competitiveness while the industry explores aluminum as a substitute for copper in air conditioning systems [3][4]. Group 1: Impact of Rising Copper Prices - The price of copper futures has exceeded $10,000 per ton, leading to increased costs for air conditioning units, where copper constitutes about 40% of the bill of materials (BOM) [5][6]. - Some air conditioning companies have already raised prices due to the surge in copper prices, with one company increasing prices by 5% and another by 2% to 4% [5]. - Gree's decision to keep prices stable is seen as a strategy to enhance its market share and competitiveness amid rising costs [5][6]. Group 2: Aluminum as a Substitute for Copper - The Chinese government has initiated policies to promote the use of aluminum in place of copper, particularly in air conditioning heat exchangers [5][8]. - Gree Electric has been researching aluminum technology for years but has not yet found it to meet the same technical standards as copper, leading to a cautious approach regarding aluminum adoption [3][8]. - Other companies, such as Wanbao, have begun to introduce aluminum-based air conditioners at lower prices compared to traditional copper models, indicating a shift in the market [8]. Group 3: Technical and Market Challenges - The performance standards for aluminum alloy pipes in air conditioning systems are still under development, with ongoing research needed to ensure reliability and efficiency comparable to copper [10][11]. - The industry faces challenges in convincing consumers of the corrosion resistance and overall reliability of aluminum compared to copper, necessitating extensive testing and validation [11][12]. - The transition to aluminum may require significant investment in new manufacturing processes and equipment, as the production techniques for aluminum differ from those for copper [12].