Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints - In the next 1 - 2 years, China's offset printing paper (double - offset paper) industry will face significant challenges in its supply - demand pattern. With the accelerating decline of the school - age population, the total market demand is under downward pressure. Meanwhile, production capacity is still being added, and inventory reduction in the industry depends on the active reduction of factory operating rates. Overall, before the industry integration and the elimination of backward production capacity are completed, double - offset paper will remain in a long - term low - prosperity cycle [4][97]. Summary According to the Catalog 1. Offset Printing Paper Basics - **Definition**: Offset printing paper is a type of cultural paper, mainly used in teaching materials, books, periodicals, and flyers. Double - offset paper, with sizing on both sides, is the most common type in the market and is often used to represent offset printing paper [15]. - **Classification**: It can be classified by size (regular size 787mm×1092mm and large size 889mm×1194mm), quantitative (usually 60 - 180g/㎡), brightness (high - white, natural - white, etc.), and calendering grade (super - calendered and normal - calendered) [16][17]. - **Quality Standards**: The new national standard GB/T30130 - 2023 for offset printing paper came into effect on July 1, 2024, replacing the previous one. It made adjustments to technical requirements such as quantitative, thickness, and brightness [18]. - **Packaging, Storage, and Logistics**: The mainstream packaging methods are roll packaging and flat - sheet packaging. Storage and logistics are relatively stable, with local sales being the main mode, and transportation mainly by road, supplemented by water and rail for medium - and long - distance [21][22]. 2. Double - Offset Paper Industry Chain Introduction - **Position in the Industry Chain**: Double - offset paper is the product of the mid - stream papermaking process, close to end - consumer markets [23]. - **Cost Composition**: The production of double - offset paper mainly uses wood pulp, accounting for about 70%. Chemical additives are also added. The pulp ratio varies among different manufacturers [27]. 3. Double - Offset Paper Supply: Domestic Oversupply and Declining Operating Rate - **Rapid Expansion of Domestic Capacity**: Since 2021, the domestic double - offset paper capacity has been in a rapid expansion cycle. From 2020 - 2024, the capacity increased from 1224 million tons/year to 1652 million tons/year, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. If the planned new capacity of 225 million tons/year in 2025 is fully realized, the capacity will reach 1877 million tons/year by the end of the year, a 13.6% year - on - year increase [29]. - **Capacity Distribution**: The capacity is mainly concentrated in the southeastern coastal areas and some central China provinces, with East China having the largest share. The industry concentration is increasing [35][37]. - **Moderate Growth in Production**: From 2015 - 2024, the production increased from 830 million tons to 948 million tons, with a compound annual growth rate of about 1.5%. The growth is moderate due to the inability of the growing capacity to be fully absorbed by the downstream market, leading to a decline in the operating rate [40]. - **Capacity Switching between Cultural Paper Types**: Most modern cultural paper machines can switch production between double - offset paper, coated paper, and other types. However, switching is restricted by high costs and is usually considered only under long - term loss expectations [43]. 4. Double - Offset Paper Demand: Slow Growth Affected by Population Structure and New Media - **Demand Structure**: From 2015 - 2024, the domestic demand for double - offset paper increased from 761 million tons to 903 million tons, with a compound annual growth rate of about 1.9%. Teaching materials accounted for about 40% of the total demand from 2018 - 2024, with obvious seasonality [44]. - **Teaching Material Demand Affected by Population Inflection Point**: The demand for teaching materials is closely related to the number of school - age students. The number of school - age children is expected to decline significantly from 2026, which will gradually lead to a downward trend in the demand for double - offset paper for teaching materials in the next 1 - 2 years [70]. - **Social Book Demand Impacted by Paperless Trend and New Media**: The retail market for books and periodicals has been affected by the paperless trend and new media such as short - videos. The growth rate of retail sales of book - magazine products has been declining [73]. 5. Double - Offset Paper Import and Export: Net Export with Limited Impact on Supply - Demand - **Import Situation**: China's double - offset paper imports are mainly from Asia, with Indonesia accounting for a large proportion. The average import volume in recent years is about 22 million tons, with an average import dependence of about 2.6%. The impact on the total market supply is limited [91]. - **Export Situation**: Since 2022, the export volume has increased. The average export volume from 2022 - 2024 is about 98 million tons, with an average export dependence of about 10.2%. The export destinations are relatively scattered [95]. 6. Double - Offset Paper Supply - Demand Balance: Oversupply and Pressured Demand - The supply - demand pattern of the double - offset paper industry will face significant challenges in the next 1 - 2 years. With the decline in demand and the continuous addition of capacity, the industry will be in a low - prosperity cycle until industry integration and the elimination of backward capacity are completed [97].