Recently, there has been a buzz of "rising" natural gas prices in major ceramic producing areas across the country. Following the rise in gas prices in Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian (for details, see: Ceramic factories are "crazy"! Gas prices in Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian are approaching 5 yuan/m³ mark), and production areas such as Zibo in Shandong and Faku in Liaoning are no exception.
On September 1, most ceramic companies in Zibo Jiancai Industrial Park received a price increase notice from the gas company: Starting from September 1, natural gas prices will increase again, tentatively increasing by 0.2 yuan per cubic meter. In addition to ceramic companies in Zibo Jiancer Industrial Park, ceramic companies in Zhangdian Nanding Industrial Park have also received price increase notices, but the extent of the price increase has not yet been determined.
According to "Ceramic Information", depending on the region, Zibo ceramic enterprises have three companies: China Resources Gas, Lubo Gas, and Xinneng Energy, which are responsible for the gas supply to the ceramic enterprises in the area. As of now, Zibo Lubo Gas and China Resources Gas have both issued price increase notices, while the ceramic company responsible for supply by Xinneng Energy has not yet received a price increase notice.
In fact, this is the second time this year that natural gas prices have risen in the Zibo production area. So far, the price of natural gas in Zibo has risen from 2.6 yuan per cubic meter in June to 2.99 yuan, with a cumulative increase of 13.5%.
No coincidence. "Ceramic Information" learned from the Liaoning Faku Economic Development Zone Entrepreneurs Association that in the face of the rapid rise in natural gas prices in key ceramic production areas across the country, the two gas companies that supply gas to Faku Ceramics Enterprises can no longer hold on. Starting this week, the price of gas supply increased by 0.1 yuan per cubic meter, reaching 2.43 yuan/m³.
Gas prices in Zibo have risen twice since June
The cumulative increase reached 13.5%
According to "Ceramic Information", the last price increase of natural gas in the Zibo production area began in July. On July 19, most ceramic companies in Zibo received price increase notices from gas companies. The notice stated that starting from July 1, the price of natural gas for all users within the jurisdiction will be increased, and the price of natural gas per cubic meter is tentatively increased by 0.15 yuan.
This price increase will result in an increase of at least 6,000 yuan per day for a production line in Zibo, and as much as 13,500 yuan in additional expenses.
Recently, Zibo gas prices have risen again. According to the price increase notice issued by the gas company, starting from September 1, the price of natural gas will be increased. This time it will be temporarily increased by 0.2 yuan per cubic meter. The specific increase rate has not yet been determined.
Based on this increase, the natural gas price after the price increase has reached 2.99 yuan per cubic meter (due to the different gas consumption of each ceramic enterprise, the gas price of enterprises has certain differences).
"So far, the two price increases have totaled 0.35 yuan, an increase of 13.5%. This has increased the production costs of ceramic companies a lot." said an industry insider in Zibo who did not want to be named.
As for the ceramic companies in Zhangdian Nanding Industrial Park, although the price has not yet been clarified, judging from the oral notice issued by the gas company, they will also face an increase of 0.2-0.3 yuan per cubic meter.
"This is the second price increase. From July 10 to August 1, natural gas per cubic meter increased by 0.07 yuan, and after the price increase, it was 2.67 yuan. From August 1 to now, the increase It has not been determined yet, and the price difference will be paid when the time comes," the person in charge of a ceramics enterprise in Zhangdian District told "Ceramic Information".
It is more likely that gas prices will continue to rise
"It is better to stop production than lose money in production"
It is understood that due to the recent rise in natural gas prices, many ceramic companies are complaining. In fact, due to the rising prices of various raw materials and sluggish market sales, most ceramic companies are currently facing huge sales pressure. Not only that, the price of ceramic tiles has not been rising.
"The current price increase of ceramic tiles is just wishful thinking, and the market is not buying it. Especially in the context of oversupply, customers have too many choices. It is difficult to increase the price of ceramic tiles in the short term. Instead of losing money on production, it is better to stop production. "The person in charge of the above-mentioned ceramic enterprise in Zibo, Shandong Province said.
In fact, with the recent rise in gas prices, it is not ruled out that it may continue to rise. Moreover, with the arrival of the heating season in the north, there is still room for gas prices to rise. Under this situation, it is a severe test for ceramic enterprises.
In the Liaoning Faku production area, this price adjustment is the first adjustment in natural gas prices in the Faku production area this year. At the same time, the gas supply company has not made a clear agreement on the gas supply time for which this price is applicable. Industry insiders in the Faku production area predict that there will still be greater upward pressure on natural gas prices in the Faku production area in the next two months before the official heating period begins.
Regarding the rise in natural gas prices, the person in charge of a ceramic tile company in Faku said that since the beginning of this year, coal prices have risen rapidly, objectively creating a rare opportunity for Faku ceramic manufacturers that have already carried out the "coal-to-gas" transformation. Breathing opportunity, especially for porcelain tile companies, market sales increased by about 15% compared with the same period last year, and this time the natural gas price increased by one cent, which is a big cost burden for tile companies.
Regarding this natural gas price adjustment, the person in charge of a floor tile company in Faku said that in terms of price alone, 2.43 yuan/The price of cubic meters still has certain advantages. What is more worrying is that this price is just a test. It is predicted that by the beginning of the heating period in November, the price of natural gas in the Faku production area may exceed 3 yuan per cubic meter. Therefore, in order to avoid potential operating risks, companies are quickly arranging production plans, accelerating inventory reserves, and striving to complete the full-year production plan before the start of the heating period.
(Article reproduced from Ceramic Information)
