Core Viewpoint - The chemical industry is experiencing a "reverse involution" due to overcapacity, leading to a series of production cuts among companies, including Wankai New Materials, which plans to reduce its PET production capacity by 60,000 tons, accounting for 20% of its total capacity [1][4]. Industry Overview - The domestic PET capacity is projected to reach 20.58 million tons by May 2025, with an operating rate of 88.75%. The recent production cuts involve a total capacity of approximately 3.36 million tons, representing 16.3% of the total capacity, which may lower the operating rate to around 75% [1][3]. - The global demand for PET is expected to grow by approximately 8.2% in 2024, with domestic demand projected at around 8.62 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 14%. Exports are expected to reach about 5.85 million tons, up 28.4% [3][4]. Company Actions - Wankai New Materials reported that the production cuts are a response to supply and demand issues within the industry, with several companies implementing similar measures. Despite a profitable first quarter, the company's profitability remains weak [1][2]. - Other companies, such as China Resources Chemical and Yisheng Petrochemical, have also announced production cuts, with reductions of 20% of their total capacity and a cumulative shutdown of 1 million tons, respectively [4][6]. Financial Performance - The PET industry has seen a significant decline in profitability since 2022 due to rapid capacity expansion and decreased operating rates. Wankai New Materials reported a net loss of 300 million yuan in 2022, while other major players also faced substantial losses [7][8]. - The industry experienced a boom during the pandemic years (2020-2022), with Wankai New Materials' net profit exceeding 1 billion yuan in 2022, but the subsequent capacity surge has led to a challenging market environment [7][8]. Market Dynamics - The current market is characterized by an oversupply situation, with the domestic PET capacity nearing 50% of the global total. The leading companies in the industry hold a significant market share, with the top four companies accounting for over 80% of the total capacity [7]. - Despite production cuts, the market is still under pressure, with analysts indicating that the supply adjustments may provide limited support and are unlikely to fundamentally change the prevailing cost-driven market dynamics [4][8].