The industrial gas market is clearly differentiated

Liquid argon dominates other gases

Liquid argon dominates other gases

In August, most of the domestic industrial gas market ended in a turbulent downward trend, but liquid argon performed well, and the price gradually increased
.

As of the end of August, the average domestic liquid argon price was 1,521 yuan (ton price, the same below), a month-on-month increase of more than 16%

Looking at the market outlook, in the context of sufficient supply, industrial gas competition is fierce.
Even in the peak season of the "Golden 9", demand will not be greatly boosted, and the short-term industrial gas market may continue to decline
.

Liquid argon dominates

　Liquid argon leads the way　Liquid argon leads the way

In August, except for liquid argon, the industrial gas market almost collapsed
.

Among them, the biggest decline is the carbon dioxide market
.

As of August 31, the average carbon dioxide price was 482 yuan, a decrease of 193 yuan from the previous month, or 28.

The liquid argon market is affected by the maintenance and frequent failures of air separation plants in some areas, and the supply is tight.
The superimposition of local epidemics has blocked the circulation of resources in some areas and is difficult to supplement to the main demanding provinces.
Therefore, the liquid argon market continues to rise
.

Among them, the most prominent regions were: Central China market rose 8.

　　Supply expected to increase

　Expected increase in　supply 　 expected increase in supply

　　In recent years, as gas companies accelerate the deployment of air separation projects, competition in the industrial gas market has become increasingly fierce
.

This year, due to the limited power supply and the commissioning of new projects in the South China and Southwest markets, the industrial gas market is extremely sluggish

　　According to statistics, the average prices of liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and liquid argon products rose by 18%, 16%, and 41% year-on-year respectively from January to August
.

The prices of carbon dioxide and some rare gas products also fluctuate sharply this year from previous years

　　Although the overall industrial gas market is improving, compared to the peak season of the "Golden 9", the fineness may be insufficient
.

　　The supply side is still an important factor affecting the trend of the industrial gas market
.

First, let’s look at the liquid oxygen market.

　　In addition, as the weather cools, liquid nitrogen manufacturers will enter the golden period of production, and the increase in production is expected, and the market supply will become more abundant
.

In addition, Hubei, Shandong and other places have air separation equipment put into production, and new production capacity continues to be released.

　　The market for the largest decline in the carbon dioxide market, "Golden Nine", is still not optimistic
.

At present, the factory's equipment has returned to normal, coupled with the successive commissioning of new equipment in Hebei, Shandong, Inner Mongolia and other places, the supply will increase significantly

　　However, industry insiders are still optimistic about the liquid argon market
.
Some methanol manufacturers in Inner Mongolia will be overhauled and the supporting air separation units will be shut down simultaneously.
Therefore, the supply of liquid argon in certain areas will decline.
In addition, market participants are optimistic about the market outlook and are actively entering the market.
The "Golden Nine" market for liquid argon is worth looking forward to
.

　　Hard to improve demand

　Demand is difficult to increase　Demand is difficult to increase

　　Downstream demand is another important factor that determines the trend of industrial gas "Golden Nine"
.

　　According to Hong Jian, an analyst at Longzhong Information, in terms of liquid oxygen, the demand for downstream steel mills in the north is difficult to increase, especially in the Northeast and North China.
The steel mills in Northeast and North China still have a certain short-term demand.
The demand of manufacturers has not improved for the time being
.

　　In terms of liquid nitrogen, downstream demand in Northeast China has weakened, and prices may be further reduced due to the accumulation of liquid level by manufacturers; downstream demand in North and East China markets is weak, and there is still room for price downwards; supply in the South China market is strong and demand is weak, and prices may remain stable at low levels
.
On the whole, the "Golden Nine" liquid nitrogen market may be steadily decreasing from the north to the south
.

　　In terms of carbon dioxide, the export of some downstream products was blocked, and welding and other industries were affected by environmental inspections and higher export freight rates, and demand weakened
.
The demand for well injection in oilfields has also basically ended
.
The demand for carbonated chemicals, carbonated beverages and other industries is stable, and it is difficult to increase
.
However, industry demand such as cold chain transportation and dry ice cleaning will support the market, and the risk of a sharp drop in carbon dioxide "Golden Nine" will gradually be released
.

　　Different from the above-mentioned industrial gases, silicon wafer and silicon material companies downstream of liquid argon have a relatively high operating load recently.
12 domestic polysilicon companies are in production, and two maintenance companies in Xinjiang and Jiangsu have resumed normal operations, which will drive the northwest, southwest and other regions.
Demand for liquid argon
.
The performance of the stainless steel industry is average.
Some manufacturers still have maintenance plans in September, but the impact on liquid argon is limited
.
On the whole, the downstream demand for liquid argon is relatively good and still has a driving effect on the market.
Considering that the inventory of upstream manufacturers is mostly at a low level, and the short-term shipments are not pressured, the liquid argon market is still relatively optimistic in the later stage
.