A few days ago, "Ceramic Information" learned from many ceramic companies in Linyi and Zibo, Shandong Province that the domestic LNG (liquefied natural gas) gas source has been tight recently and the price has been skyrocketing. The current price of Shandong LNG has risen to 8,000 yuan/ tons, converted to a price per cubic meter, the gas price is as high as 5.5 yuan/m³. Affected by this, some ceramic companies had to suspend production for maintenance ahead of schedule.
LNG prices soared to 5.5 yuan/m³
As we all know, fuel costs have become the main factor affecting the production costs of various ceramic companies. Compared with ceramic companies that switch from coal to gas as fuel, the further increase in natural gas prices has greatly weakened the market competition of gas-using ceramic companies. force.
As of now, the price of LNG in Shandong has risen from 4,300 yuan per ton earlier to the current 8,000 yuan. Affected by this, the price of industrial pipeline natural gas is more likely to rise. Currently, the pipeline natural gas prices of some gas companies in Linyi have been raised, while the pipeline natural gas prices in Zibo have not yet been adjusted.
As northern my country is currently in the heating season, natural gas supply is also facing a great test. It is understood that in recent years, natural gas prices have increased in Shandong and other places at the end of each year, and ceramic companies have stopped kilns early. For example, at the end of 2018, pipeline natural gas prices in Zibo increased by 20%, and the kiln shutdown rate of ceramic companies exceeded 80%; at the end of 2017 , Zibo LNG price is close to 6 yuan/cubic meter... Under this situation, for ceramic enterprises that have completed the "coal-to-gas" transition, the rise in LNG prices has greatly affected the production of various gas-using ceramic enterprises. cost.
On November 5, the price of pipeline natural gas in Linyi area has risen. The heads of several ceramic enterprises in the Linyi production area told Ceramic Information that there are currently three gas companies in the Linyi production area responsible for the natural gas supply to ceramic enterprises, and the current natural gas prices of each gas company are slightly different. Up to now, the gas price of most ceramic companies has not been adjusted, which is 2.7 yuan per cubic meter. However, the gas price of some ceramic companies has increased from 2.7 yuan to 3.15 yuan per cubic meter.
"Before, our natural gas price was also 2.7 yuan per cubic meter. By November 5, we received a price increase notice from the gas company, and the natural gas price rose to 2.9 yuan per cubic meter. Now, the natural gas price has increased to 2.9 yuan per cubic meter. 3.15 yuan per cubic meter." A general manager of a ceramics company in Linyi who did not want to be named told "Ceramic Information".
Pipeline gas prices may rise
Some ceramic companies have stopped production ahead of schedule
Although the gas prices of some ceramic enterprises in Linyi have not yet been adjusted, pipeline natural gas supply is now facing a test.
"At present, the price of the natural gas we are using is still 2.7 yuan, but the gas supply is obviously insufficient these days. The gas company informed us that if some LNG is added, the price of pipeline natural gas will also rise. In this case, we have to prepare in advance Production is suspended for maintenance," a person in charge of a ceramics company in Linyi who wished to remain anonymous told "Ceramic Information".
Currently, the price of LNG has risen to 8,000 yuan per ton, which is as high as 5.5 yuan per cubic meter, which is already difficult for ceramic companies to accept. "It can be said that the price of LNG has skyrocketed in the past few days and is expected to rise even further." said the person in charge of a ceramics company in Zibo who did not want to be named.
According to "Ceramic Information", due to the continued rise in LNG prices, some Linyi ceramic companies that originally planned to stop production in January have now decided to stop production in advance, otherwise the cost will be too high.
Not only Linyi, but also ceramic companies in other areas of Shandong may also face early suspension of production. "According to the natural gas price after the price increase, for most ceramic enterprises, it is no longer necessary to hold on, and it is better to stop production early for maintenance." said the person in charge of the above-mentioned Zibo ceramic enterprise.
According to rough statistics, due to the implementation of staggered winter production, more than 30 ceramic companies in Zibo have stopped kilns. Only a few manufacturers are still producing normally, mainly producing glazed tiles, antique tiles, large slabs, thick bricks, etc. High value-added products. In addition, as of December 18, two ceramic companies in Linyi have stopped production. It is understood that some ceramic companies currently in production in Linyi also plan to stop production in the near future.
A person in charge of a Linyi ceramics enterprise said that compared with Zibo, Linyi will be more affected by the increase in natural gas prices this time. “Most ceramics enterprises in Zibo have sufficient inventory and their products are relatively differentiated, but Linyi ceramics enterprises Most of them mainly produce interior wall tiles. Due to the fierce competition in the current market, most ceramic companies have fallen into price wars. In order to survive, manufacturers are almost operating at breakeven. It is precisely because of this that many manufacturers in Linyi basically have no inventory and can produce quickly. Sales, this excessive increase in natural gas will have a greater impact on Linyi ceramic enterprises.
(The article is reproduced from Ceramic Information)
