Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No investment rating for the industry is provided in the report. 2. Core View The expectation of capacity reduction in South Korea's naphtha cracking has led to a rebound in the prices of olefin derivatives, which in turn has driven up the methanol price. However, the current situation at the port remains weak, with port inventories continuing to rise and downstream MTO in the maintenance cycle. The centralized maintenance period for coal - based methanol is gradually over, and the operating rate will increase in late August. This week, the inventory of inland factories has bottomed out and rebounded, while downstream orders have declined. For the downstream, formaldehyde is in a seasonal off - season and is waiting for a further bottom - up recovery [3]. 3. Summary by Directory I. Market News and Important Data - **Inland**: Q5500 Ordos thermal coal is 470 yuan/ton (unchanged), and the production profit of coal - to - methanol in Inner Mongolia is 655 yuan/ton (unchanged). Inland methanol prices vary by region, with Inner Mongolia North Line at 2070 yuan/ton (unchanged), Inner Mongolia South Line at 2080 yuan/ton (unchanged), Shandong Linyi at 2345 yuan/ton (+11), etc. The inventory of inland factories has increased to 310,793 tons (+15,220), and the order backlog has decreased to 207,370 tons (-11,995) [1]. - **Port**: Taicang methanol is 2305 yuan/ton (+25), CFR China is 259 US dollars/ton (-2). The total port inventory has increased to 1,075,960 tons (+54,160), and the downstream MTO operating rate is 83.12% (-0.77%). There are also various regional price differences [2]. II. Market Analysis The expectation of capacity reduction in South Korea's naphtha cracking has driven up the prices of olefin derivatives and methanol. But the port situation is weak, with rising inventories and MTO in maintenance. The coal - based methanol maintenance period is over, and the operating rate will increase. Inland factory inventories have rebounded, and downstream orders have decreased. Formaldehyde is in a seasonal off - season [3]. III. Strategy For single - side trading, inter - period trading, and cross - variety trading, the recommendation is to wait and see [4]. IV. Figures and Tables by Category - **Methanol Basis & Inter - period Structure**: There are figures showing methanol basis in different regions (such as Taicang, Lunan, Inner Mongolia North Line, etc.) and inter - period spreads between different futures contracts (e.g., methanol 01 - 05, 05 - 09, 09 - 01) [6][7][22]. - **Methanol Production Profit, MTO Profit, Import Profit**: Figures display the production profit of coal - based methanol in Inner Mongolia, MTO profit in East China, and import profit (e.g., Taicang methanol - CFR China import spread) [6][26][30]. - **Methanol Operating Rate, Inventory**: Figures show methanol port total inventory, MTO/P operating rate, inland factory sample inventory, and China's methanol operating rate [6][32][33]. - **Regional Price Differences**: Figures present price differences between different regions, such as Lubei - Northwest, East China - Inner Mongolia, etc. [6][37][45]. - **Traditional Downstream Profits**: Figures show the production profits of traditional downstream products like Shandong formaldehyde, Jiangsu acetic acid, Shandong MTBE, and Henan dimethyl ether [6][50][55].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content 2. Core View of the Report - The fundamental situation of methanol has not changed significantly, and the basis is weakly consolidating. The port is experiencing inventory accumulation, with the basis continuing to be weak, while the inland is stronger than the port. The overall pattern is that the inland market is more robust [2]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Methanol Basis & Inter - period Structure - The report presents multiple figures related to methanol basis and inter - period spreads, including methanol basis in different regions (such as Taicang, Lunan, Inner Mongolia North Line, etc.) and inter - period spreads between different methanol futures contracts (e.g., MA09 - 01) [6][10][23] 3.2 Methanol Production Profit, MTO Profit, Import Profit - Figures show the profit situation of methanol production (e.g., Inner Mongolia coal - based methanol production profit), MTO profit (e.g., East China MTO profit of PP&EG type), and import profit (e.g., Taicang methanol - CFR China import spread) [25][31] 3.3 Methanol开工, Inventory - Data on methanol port total inventory, MTO/P开工 rate (including integrated units), inland factory sample inventory, and China's methanol开工 rate (including integrated units) are presented [34][36] 3.4 Regional Spreads - The report provides information on regional price differences, such as the spreads between different regions like Lubei - Northwest, Taicang - Inner Mongolia, and Guangdong - East China [38][49] 3.5 Traditional Downstream Profits - Figures illustrate the production profits of traditional downstream products, including Shandong formaldehyde production profit, Jiangsu acetic acid production profit, Shandong MTBE isomerization etherification production profit, and Henan dimethyl ether production profit [54][56] 4. Strategies - **Unilateral**: Adopt a wait - and - see approach [3] - **Inter - period**: For the MA09 - 01 inter - period spread, conduct a reverse spread when the spread is high [3] - **Cross - variety**: When the spread is high, reduce the spread between PP2601 and 3MA2601 [3]

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints - The impact of coking coal on the coal chemical industry has diminished, and the focus has returned to the fundamentals of methanol itself. The overseas methanol operation remains at a high level, and there is still significant pressure on future arrivals. The maintenance plan for MTO units has not been implemented, and attention should be paid to the progress of future implementation. It is still a period of slight inventory accumulation, and the port basis will maintain a weak consolidation. In the inland area, coal - based methanol has undergone concentrated maintenance but will gradually resume in early August. Among traditional downstream industries, formaldehyde is in a seasonal off - season, while the operation of MTBE and acetic acid still shows some resilience, and the inland demand remains strong. The inventory of inland methanol factories has decreased again, and the inland market is stronger than the port market [3]. Summary by Directory 1. Methanol Basis & Inter - period Structure - The report presents multiple figures related to methanol basis and inter - period structure, including the basis between methanol in Taicang and the main contract, the basis of methanol in different regions relative to the main futures, and the price differences between different methanol futures contracts (such as MA01 - 05, MA05 - 09, MA09 - 01). The data sources for these figures are from Flush and Huatai Futures Research Institute [7][21][23]. 2. Methanol Production Profit, MTO Profit, Import Profit - Figures are provided for the production profit of coal - based methanol in Inner Mongolia, the MTO profit in East China (PP&EG type), and the import price difference between Taicang methanol and CFR China, as well as the price differences between CFR Southeast Asia - CFR China, FOB US Gulf - CFR China, and FOB Rotterdam - CFR China. The data sources are from Flush and Huatai Futures Research Institute [26][27][31]. 3. Methanol Operation and Inventory - Figures show the total port inventory of methanol, the operation rate of MTO/P (including integrated plants), the sample inventory of inland factories, and the operation rate of methanol in China (including integrated plants). The data sources are from Flush and Huatai Futures Research Institute [34][36]. 4. Regional Price Differences - Figures illustrate the price differences between different regions, such as the price difference between northern Shandong and the northwest, the price difference between East China and Inner Mongolia, and the price differences between other regions. The data sources are from Flush and Huatai Futures Research Institute [38][44][47]. 5. Traditional Downstream Profits - Figures display the production profits of traditional downstream products, including the production profit of formaldehyde in Shandong, the production profit of acetic acid in Jiangsu, the production profit of MTBE isomerization etherification in Shandong, and the production profit of dimethyl ether in Henan. The data sources are from Flush and Huatai Futures Research Institute [51][54]. Strategy - Unilateral: Wait and see [4]. - Inter - period: Do reverse spreads when the MA09 - 01 inter - period price difference is high [4]. - Cross - variety: Do narrowing spreads when the PP2601 - 3MA2601 spread is high [4].

Core Viewpoint - The MTO (Methanol to Olefins) profit is significantly influenced by various factors including methanol prices, demand for olefin products, policies, and seasonal patterns, with a strong negative correlation to methanol prices [4][7][8]. Group 1: MTO Profit Calculation and Influencing Factors - MTO profit is calculated based on the cost structure, where 70-80% of costs are attributed to energy consumption and raw materials, with methanol prices being a critical component [5][7]. - The cost of producing 1 ton of polypropylene (PP) requires 3 tons of methanol, and catalyst costs also contribute to overall expenses [5]. - Key factors affecting MTO profit include: 1. Methanol prices, which are influenced by coal and natural gas prices, with a significant portion of methanol in China being coal-derived [7]. 2. Demand for olefin products, particularly from the packaging and automotive sectors, which can drive PP prices [8]. 3. Policies and environmental regulations, such as carbon taxes and subsidies for green methanol projects, which can impact production costs and profitability [8]. 4. Seasonal patterns, where winter months typically see higher methanol prices and reduced MTO profits, while summer months may lead to increased profits due to lower methanol prices and higher demand [9]. Group 2: Production Strategies and Market Dynamics - Companies may adopt different production strategies based on MTO profit levels, such as increasing raw material procurement during high-profit periods and reducing operational rates during negative profit periods [10]. - Seasonal trading strategies can be employed by investors, such as going long on profits during summer months and shorting during winter months, reflecting the cyclical nature of MTO profitability [10].

Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content Core Viewpoints - The theme of the chemical sector recently is the rectification expectation of plants in operation for over 20 years, with the capacity of such methanol plants in China accounting for 8%. Overseas methanol plants are operating at a high level, leading to high pressure on China's imports and a rapid increase in port inventories. Some MTO plants' maintenance plans have not been implemented, and attention should be paid to the progress of production cuts in late July. The short - term situation at ports remains weak. In the inland area, coal - based methanol plants are undergoing short - term centralized maintenance, with the operating rate at a short - term low but expected to recover gradually by the end of the month. The traditional downstream shows strong demand, and inland plant inventories have decreased again, maintaining a situation where the inland market is stronger than the port market [2] Summary by Directory 1. Methanol Basis & Inter - period Structure - Figures include methanol Taicang basis and the main contract, methanol basis in different regions relative to the main futures contract, and inter - period spreads such as between methanol 01 and 05, 05 and 09, 09 and 01 futures contracts [6][20][22] 2. Methanol Production Profit, MTO Profit, Import Profit - Figures cover Inner Mongolia coal - based methanol production profit, East China MTO profit (PP&EG type), and import spreads such as Taicang methanol - CFR China, as well as price differences between CFR Southeast Asia - CFR China, FOB US Gulf - CFR China, and FOB Rotterdam - CFR China [24][25][31] 3. Methanol Operation and Inventory - Figures show methanol port total inventory, MTO/P operating rate (including integrated plants), inland factory sample inventory, and China's methanol operating rate (including integrated plants) [33][34][40] 4. Regional Price Differences - Figures present price differences such as Lubei - Northwest - 280, East China - Inner Mongolia - 550, Taicang - Lunan - 250, Lunan - Taicang - 100, Guangdong - East China - 180, and East China - Sichuan - Chongqing - 200 [38][46][49] 5. Traditional Downstream Profits - Figures display production margins of Shandong formaldehyde, Jiangsu acetic acid, Shandong MTBE isomerization etherification, and Henan dimethyl ether [50][53][59] Market Data Inland - Q5500 Ordos steam coal is 450 yuan/ton (+10). Inner Mongolia coal - based methanol production profit is 615 yuan/ton (-13). Inner Mongolia northern line methanol price is 1990 yuan/ton (+8), with a basis of 179 yuan/ton (-39); Inner Mongolia southern line is 1990 yuan/ton (+0). Shandong Linyi is 2300 yuan/ton (+13), with a basis of 89 yuan/ton (-34). Henan is 2160 yuan/ton (-10), with a basis of - 51 yuan/ton (-56). Hebei is 2190 yuan/ton (+0), with a basis of 39 yuan/ton (-46). Longzhong's inland factory inventory is 352340 tons (-4560), and northwest factory inventory is 218000 tons (-10000). Inland factory pending orders are 243119 tons (+21879), and northwest factory pending orders are 113600 tons (+13600) [1] Ports - Taicang methanol is 2398 yuan/ton (+13), with a basis of - 13 yuan/ton (-33). CFR China is 273 US dollars/ton (-2), and the East China import spread is - 18 yuan/ton (+11). Changzhou methanol is 2395 yuan/ton; Guangdong methanol is 2400 yuan/ton (+15), with a basis of - 11 yuan/ton (-31). Longzhong's total port inventory is 790200 tons (+71300), Jiangsu port inventory is 454000 tons (+59000), Zhejiang port inventory is 180000 tons (+4500), and Guangdong port inventory is 106000 tons (-6000). The downstream MTO operating rate is 85.10% (+0.27%) [2] Regional Price Differences - Lubei - Northwest - 280 spread is - 15 yuan/ton (-8), Taicang - Inner Mongolia - 550 spread is - 142 yuan/ton (+6), Taicang - Lunan - 250 spread is - 152 yuan/ton (+1), Lunan - Taicang - 100 spread is - 198 yuan/ton (-1), Guangdong - East China - 180 spread is - 178 yuan/ton (+2), and East China - Sichuan - Chongqing - 200 spread is - 2 yuan/ton (+13) [2] Strategies - Unilateral: Wait and see - Inter - period: Do reverse arbitrage when the MA09 - 01 inter - period spread is high - Cross - variety: Narrow the spread of PP2601 - 3MA2601 when the spread is high [3]

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints - The methanol market in recent years has been influenced by factors such as upstream device production, device maintenance and restart, MTO profit - driven device operations, overseas device status affecting imports, and coal price trends. Currently, as China's methanol production nears the end of the investment cycle, supply - demand mismatches from the phased start - stop of existing devices are more prominent. In the past three years, MTO profit, coal price trends, and import expectations have dominated the domestic methanol market, with import impacts being particularly significant this year [1]. - The PP - 3MA spread is negatively correlated with methanol prices and has upper and lower boundaries. It can be used to judge the relative level of methanol prices and guide short - to - medium - term market judgments. Currently, due to the Iran device shutdown from the Middle East geopolitical conflict, the 09 contract is unlikely to see significant inventory accumulation before, resulting in a strong basis and high monthly spreads. The PP - 3MA spread is at a year - on - year low, indicating limited upward space for methanol, but the short - term probability of a sharp decline is also low, and the market is likely to enter an interval adjustment [2]. - In 2024, imports and upstream - downstream device start - stop dominated the market. From January to May, low overseas device operation and import levels, along with stable downstream demand, led to rising prices. From May to September, MTO losses and device shutdowns caused prices to fall. In the fourth quarter, improved downstream profits, increased olefin operation, and macro - policy expectations drove price fluctuations, and prices were more likely to rise in the traditional peak season [6]. - In 2023, the market was mainly influenced by coal prices and upstream - downstream device operations. Before the Spring Festival, low inventory and improved macro - sentiment pushed prices up, and then falling coal prices led to a decline in methanol prices. After June, coal prices stabilized, and downstream demand improvement and device restarts drove price increases [26]. - In 2025, the contradictions are concentrated in overseas factors and domestic upstream - downstream industrial chain profit distribution. Falling coal prices have led to a decline in methanol costs, and the supply is adjusted through device start - stop. In the first half of the year, import levels affected the market, and port MTO device start - stop influenced the price trend. Traditional demand has weakened due to the real - estate downturn [30]. 3. Summary by Related Catalogs 2024 Market Review - **January - May**: Low overseas device operation, import negotiation stalemate with Iran, low import levels, stable downstream demand, low port inventory, and rising methanol prices [6]. - **May - September**: High methanol prices led to MTO losses, port device shutdowns, and falling methanol prices [6]. - **Fourth Quarter**: Improved downstream profits, increased olefin operation, macro - policy expectations, and price fluctuations. Prices were more likely to rise in the traditional peak season [6]. - **Inventory and Spread**: In the first half of the year, imports were lower than expected, port inventory was low, and the basis and 5 - 9 spread were strong. In the second half of the year, high domestic supply and port olefin device shutdowns led to high inventory, and the 1 - 5 spread turned negative [9]. PP - 3MA Spread Analysis - The PP - 3MA spread is negatively correlated with methanol prices and can be used to judge the relative level of methanol prices. Currently, it is at a year - on - year low, indicating limited upward space for methanol, but the short - term probability of a sharp decline is also low [2]. 2023 Market Review - Before the Spring Festival: Low inventory and improved macro - sentiment led to rising methanol prices. After the festival, falling coal prices caused a decline in methanol prices [26]. - January - May: Coal price decline was the main factor for the methanol price drop, with short - term rebounds and speed variations related to upstream - downstream device operations and overseas devices [26]. - After June: Coal prices stabilized. In late June, the Iran natural gas price increase drove a short - term price increase. In August, MTO device restarts and new device investment expectations led to rising prices [26]. 2025 Market Outlook - **Supply**: Falling coal prices have led to a decline in methanol costs. Domestic supply is adjusted through device start - stop, and in the first half of the year, imports are a major supply - side variable [30]. - **Demand**: Port MTO device start - stop affects the market rhythm. Initially, reduced imports drove price increases, but then MTO losses and device shutdowns led to price drops. Traditional demand has weakened due to the real - estate downturn [30][32].