A few days ago, the arrival price of Shandong LNG (liquefied natural gas) skyrocketed, attracting widespread attention. "Ceramic Information" learned from a number of Linyi ceramics companies that due to the recent increase in gas prices, Linyi ceramics companies have been unable to withstand rising cost pressures. Most ceramics companies have stated that they "will shut down their kilns for maintenance at the end of this month." By then, the Linyi production area will usher in this year's season of concentrated kiln shutdowns for ceramic enterprises.
It is understood that there are currently 21 ceramic companies in Linyi production area. As of December 24, five ceramic companies had completely suspended their kilns, while on December 18, only two ceramic companies in Linyi had suspended their kilns. Among them, most ceramic companies shut down their kilns early due to rising gas prices.
Linyi pipeline gas rose to a maximum of 3.15 yuan/m³
In December, the price of ceramic tiles from some ceramic companies rose for several consecutive rounds
Since December, the continuous rise in LNG prices has further pushed up the price of pipeline natural gas. According to the latest news, the arrival price of Shandong LNG has exceeded 9,000 yuan/ton, which is more than 6.4 yuan/cubic meter.
In addition to the multiple increases in ceramic tile prices, the currently high fuel costs have still become a "stumbling block" to the production of most ceramic enterprises in Linyi. For Linyi ceramic enterprises that have completed the "coal-to-gas" transition, fuel prices are undoubtedly the most concerning issue at present.
According to "Ceramic Information", due to different gas supply companies, the gas prices of various ceramic companies in Linyi vary. At present, the price of pipeline natural gas for most ceramic enterprises in Linyi is between 2.9 and 3.15 yuan.
"Now, the price of our company's pipeline natural gas has risen to 3 yuan per cubic meter. We can no longer work this year. We will stop the kiln by the end of the month. It is not just us, basically all the kilns that are open now will be stopped." Linyi A general manager of a ceramics company who wished to remain anonymous told Ceramics Information.
For most ceramic companies, the main reason for the early shutdown of kilns this time is the increase in natural gas prices, which eats up product profits. Faced with rising production costs, ceramic companies have to increase product prices to absorb the huge pressure brought by rising fuel costs.
"In December alone, the price of our company's products increased twice. It is difficult to say whether the price of ceramic tiles will increase next." Another person in charge of a ceramics company in Linyi who did not want to be named said frankly.
The person in charge said, "The current product profits are already very thin, and the increase can only be used to absorb the increased cost of fuel. If you don't increase the price, the company will definitely lose money. Recently, our company's single-tile tile price It has increased by 0.1-0.2 yuan, but if the price of natural gas continues to rise, the price of ceramic tiles will not rise again.”
According to "Ceramic Information", the price increase in Linyi production area is relatively concentrated this time, and the reason for the price increase is the increase in natural gas prices. Due to the different production costs of various ceramic companies and different product specifications, the extent of the increase is also different. It is not difficult to see from the price increase notices of various ceramic companies in Linyi that some companies' 300×300㎜ small floor tiles have increased by 0.05 yuan per piece, and some ceramic companies have increased their prices by 0.15 yuan.
In addition to the 300×300㎜ specification, other specifications have also increased to varying degrees. For example, 200×600㎜, 300×450㎜, 300×800㎜ and other specifications of interior wall tiles will increase by 0.1 yuan per piece, 400×800mm specifications of interior wall tiles will increase by 0.2 yuan, and 300×600mm specifications of interior wall tiles will increase by 0.2 yuan. The price increased by 0.2 yuan; the single piece of 800×800㎜ and 600×1200㎜ floor tiles increased by 0.5 yuan; the single piece of 600×600㎜ antique bricks increased by 0.2 yuan, and the single piece of 600×600㎜ wear-resistant bricks increased by 0.1 yuan.
“The price of ceramic tiles is at a high level, and stopping the kiln is the best choice”
It is understood that since the heating season began in the north on November 15, many surrounding ceramic production areas have suspended production, which has brought certain benefits to Linyi ceramic enterprises. In addition to replenishment by dealer customers, there is also a steady stream of orders from nearby construction sites, which to a certain extent has stimulated the sales and production scheduling of Linyi ceramic enterprises.
"At present, our company's sales are generally good, including retail and construction sites, which is enough to support us from shutting down the kiln next month. However, considering the subsequent production costs, we can only shut down the kiln in advance, and it will not be possible to continue operating it. How meaningful it is," said the sales general manager of a Linyi ceramic enterprise.
Although the price increase of ceramic tiles is not large, for ceramic companies, the price increase is really a helpless move - and this price increase of ceramic tiles has also had a considerable impact on product sales.
“After the price increase, many customers have made it clear that they do not plan to prepare inventory before the year. Unless customers have business now, they may continue to restock.” said the general manager of the above-mentioned ceramic enterprise who did not want to be named.Show.
What worries ceramic enterprises even more is that it is still unknown whether gas prices will continue to rise in the future. Based on this, many Linyi ceramic enterprises choose to shut down their kilns for maintenance at the end of the month.
According to "Ceramic Information", compared with the resumption of production at the beginning of the year, the price of a single piece of 300×600㎜ interior wall tiles in the Linyi production area has increased by 0.2-0.3 yuan. "When work resumed at the beginning of this year, the unit price was 2.7 yuan/piece, and now the unit price has risen to 2.9-3 yuan/piece." The general manager of the above-mentioned ceramic company told "Ceramic Information". In his view, even if the price of natural gas continues to rise, the price of ceramic tiles will not rise again in the future. The main reason is that the current price is already at a high level. After all, the market competition is too fierce.
(The article is reproduced from Ceramic Information)
