Dongguan Securities·2025-12-25 08:27Group 1: Tungsten Industry - Tungsten is a strategic metal with high melting point and hardness, widely used in key sectors such as aerospace and electronics. China dominates global tungsten resources, with 2024 production expected to reach 67,000 tons and reserves at 2.4 million tons, both ranking first globally [15][16][17] - The supply of tungsten is tightening due to reduced mining quotas and environmental regulations, with a 6.5% decrease in the 2025 mining quota compared to the previous year. This is expected to support tungsten prices, which have already increased over 210% year-to-date [16][17] - The demand for tungsten is driven by hard alloys, military alloys, and photovoltaic tungsten wires, with hard alloys accounting for about 60% of tungsten consumption. The consumption of hard alloys in 2024 is projected to reach 41,400 tons, reflecting steady growth [30][39] Group 2: Molybdenum Industry - Molybdenum is primarily used in the steel industry to enhance strength and corrosion resistance. China holds 39% of global molybdenum reserves, with 2024 production expected to be 260,000 tons, a 6% increase from 2023 [40][43][49] - The supply of molybdenum is expected to remain stable, but the demand is increasing due to high-strength alloys and new applications in renewable energy and aerospace. The domestic molybdenum production from January to November 2025 is reported at 293,400 tons, an 8.66% increase year-on-year [47][49] - Molybdenum prices are supported by high demand in steel and other industries, with the average price of molybdenum iron in the first half of 2025 at 228,800 yuan per ton, reflecting a slight increase [54][55] Group 3: Germanium Industry - Germanium is classified as a strategic mineral, with its supply structure being concentrated and sensitive to price fluctuations. Global germanium production in 2023 was 138 tons, with China producing 94 tons [55][60] - The demand for germanium is expanding in high-growth sectors such as military infrared, low-orbit satellites, and telecommunications, with the price of germanium ingots averaging 15,625 yuan per kilogram in the first half of 2025, a 61.92% increase year-on-year [66][70] - The supply of germanium is tightening due to export controls and environmental policies, with expectations of a gradual increase in prices as demand continues to grow [70] Group 4: Zirconium Industry - Zirconium is widely used in various industries, including electronics, ceramics, and nuclear energy. The demand for zirconium products is driven by traditional sectors and emerging high-end applications [71][80] - The traditional ceramic sector remains the largest consumer of zirconium, with expectations of stabilization due to macroeconomic policies. The construction and real estate sectors are anticipated to support demand for zirconium products [80] - Emerging applications in renewable energy, artificial gemstones, and biomedical ceramics are expected to drive significant growth in zirconium demand, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate of 133% for solid-state batteries from 2024 to 2030 [81][82]