Investment Rating - The investment rating for the basic chemical industry is "Positive" (maintained) [1] Core Insights - The "Minamata Convention" is expected to accelerate the elimination of outdated acetylene-based PVC production capacity, which is a key focus of the convention [4][21] - The domestic PVC production capacity is projected to reach 29.11 million tons/year by the end of 2024, with acetylene-based PVC accounting for 21.64 million tons/year, representing 74% of the total capacity [22] - The demand for mercury-free catalysts is anticipated to grow due to the ongoing implementation of the Minamata Convention, leading to an improved industry landscape [4][22] Summary by Sections Industry Trends - The chemical industry index underperformed the CSI 300 index by 3.61% this week [16] - The CCPI (China Chemical Product Price Index) reported a decrease of 1.2% [18] Key Product Tracking - The polyester filament market is experiencing a downward trend, with POY prices averaging 6,520 CNY/ton, down 113 CNY/ton from last week [27] - The viscose staple fiber market remains stable, with prices holding steady at 13,100 CNY/ton [30] Industry News - LG Chem announced plans to close its HDPE plant in South Korea, reflecting a strategic shift towards high-growth areas such as battery materials and environmental solutions [5][16] Recommended and Beneficiary Stocks - Recommended stocks include leading chemical companies such as Wanhua Chemical, Hualu Hengsheng, and Hengli Petrochemical [6] - Beneficiary stocks from the mercury-free catalyst segment include Kaili New Materials and from the PVC segment include Jiahua Energy and Chlor-alkali Chemical [4][22]