SINOLINK SECURITIES·2025-11-03 13:27Investment Rating - The report suggests that cold plate liquid cooling is expected to become the mainstream cooling solution for data centers, with significant potential in 3D printing for liquid cooling plate manufacturing [5]. Core Insights - Cold plate liquid cooling is anticipated to dominate the data center cooling market due to its higher efficiency compared to traditional air cooling, especially as GPU power design continues to increase [1][12]. - The liquid cooling market in China is projected to grow significantly, reaching 184 billion yuan in 2024 and 1.3 trillion yuan by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48% [20][22]. - 3D printing technology is identified as the optimal manufacturing route for liquid cooling plates, offering advantages such as design freedom and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional machining methods [2][54]. - Microchannel liquid cooling plates are becoming a new trend, with 3D printing further enhancing their performance by allowing for complex designs that improve heat dissipation [3][66]. - The report highlights the challenges and breakthroughs in 3D printing of copper materials, which are crucial for effective heat transfer in liquid cooling applications [4][80]. Summary by Sections 1. Cold Plate Liquid Cooling as a Mainstream Solution - The cooling process in data centers can be categorized into air cooling and liquid cooling, with liquid cooling being more efficient due to its higher heat transfer capabilities [12][18]. - Cold plate liquid cooling, as an indirect cooling method, does not require direct contact with liquids, making it more operationally feasible and widely applicable [28][33]. 2. 3D Printing as the Optimal Manufacturing Technology - 3D printing offers unique advantages over traditional machining, such as the ability to create complex geometries and reduce production costs [2][54]. - The technology allows for continuous optimization of flow channel designs, which significantly impacts the cooling performance of liquid cooling plates [60][64]. 3. Emerging Trends in Microchannel Liquid Cooling - Microchannel liquid cooling plates are defined by their small channel diameters, which enhance heat transfer efficiency, and 3D printing is expected to play a crucial role in their production [3][67]. - The report notes that traditional manufacturing methods face limitations in producing microchannel structures, making 3D printing a more viable option [71][79]. 4. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on companies with strong technological capabilities in metal 3D printing, particularly those specializing in copper 3D printing [5][97]. - Specific companies highlighted include Nanfeng Co., Ltd., Plitec, and Huazhu High-Tech, which are actively engaged in the development and production of 3D printed liquid cooling plates [97].