中国能源报·2026-02-02 03:38Core Viewpoint - The major chemical and petrochemical companies in China's eastern coastal regions are strategically shifting towards coal chemical projects in the western regions to reduce reliance on oil and enhance cost control, marking a transition from a "fuel era" to a "materials era" [3][10]. Group 1: Industry Trends - The investment in coal chemical projects is exemplified by Rongsheng Petrochemical's approximately 160 billion yuan investment in Inner Mongolia for a green coal chemical integration project, which aims to convert 35 million tons of raw coal annually into over 20 high-end chemical materials [3][4]. - The industry is facing declining revenue profit margins, dropping from 8.03% in 2021 to an estimated 4.85% in 2024, indicating a growing challenge of "increased production without increased profits" [6][4]. - The correlation between traditional petrochemical products and crude oil prices is weakening, with market supply and demand becoming the primary determinants of product pricing [6][4]. Group 2: Cost Advantages - The cost of producing olefins from coal is estimated to be 20% to 30% lower than traditional oil routes, making it an attractive option for profit-sensitive chemical companies [9][8]. - Rongsheng Petrochemical's project in Inner Mongolia is designed to leverage local low-cost coal resources, ensuring competitiveness even amid price fluctuations in chemical products [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Intent - Companies are not only motivated by cost advantages but also by the desire to establish a self-controlled raw material supply chain, as seen in Hengyi Petrochemical's integrated coal-to-ethylene glycol project in Xinjiang [10][10]. - Technological advancements in modern coal chemical processes, such as gasification and methanol-to-olefins, are enabling efficient conversion of coal into high-quality chemical raw materials [10][10]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's plan emphasizes the support for modern coal chemical projects in resource-rich areas, encouraging the development of new chemical materials to guide industry upgrades [12][12]. - The focus on high-end products like polyolefins, specialty rubbers, and carbon fibers in coal chemical projects indicates a significant increase in value compared to traditional bulk chemical products [12][12]. - The integration of energy resources in the west with industrial capital and technological advantages in the east is expected to redefine the future of the chemical industry, transitioning from oil dependency to coal utilization and from fuel production to material manufacturing [13][13].