触底中的碳化硅，搭上AI顺风车

Core Viewpoint - The silicon carbide (SiC) market is expected to stabilize in pricing as it enters 2025, following a year of capacity expansion and price pressure, while new opportunities in the AI sector are emerging [1][11]. Market Overview - The price of SiC substrates continues to decline, but the trend is showing signs of improvement compared to 2024. The main application market remains in electric vehicles, with new applications in AI data centers and AR glasses poised for growth [1][11]. - The leading domestic SiC substrate company, Tianyue Advanced, reported a revenue of 318 million yuan for Q3, a year-on-year decrease of 13.76%, with a cumulative revenue decline of 13.21% for the first three quarters. The net profit for Q3 was a loss of 9.76 million yuan, down 123.72% year-on-year, attributed to strategic price reductions to gain market share amid fierce competition [1][2]. Price Dynamics - The price of 6-inch SiC substrates is projected to have decreased by approximately 30% in 2024, with some manufacturers quoting prices below 3,000 yuan per piece, nearing the cost line for many producers. The overall price decline is slowing down, with limited room for further decreases [3][11]. - The market sentiment is improving, with a gradual recovery in downstream customer purchasing intentions as industry demand rebounds. The competition is expected to become more rational, leading to a more stable pricing structure [4][11]. Application Trends - The shift towards 8-inch substrates is gaining momentum, although current production capacity remains limited compared to 6-inch substrates. The transition to 8-inch is expected to take time due to the need for product reintroduction [5][11]. - SiC's core material advantages, particularly in high-voltage applications, are expected to maintain a higher value and more stable pricing compared to lower voltage markets where product homogenization and price competition are prevalent [5][6]. AI Sector Opportunities - The AI industry is increasingly expressing interest in SiC applications, with major companies like NVIDIA planning to transition to 800V HVDC data center power infrastructure by 2027, which will drive demand for SiC devices [7][10]. - The data center market, while currently smaller than the electric vehicle market, is anticipated to grow rapidly due to the adoption of high-power, efficient architectures, positioning SiC as a key component in future developments [11].