EBSCN·2026-01-14 06:22Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the basic chemical industry [1] Core Insights - The chemical and new materials industry is set to drive the comprehensive "AI + manufacturing" transformation, as outlined in the State Council's policy document released in August 2025, which aims for deep integration of AI across six key sectors by 2027 [3][4] - The focus for the petrochemical industry is on "quality improvement and efficiency enhancement" through AI, utilizing large models and digital twin technologies to optimize various processes [5] - The report identifies three main pathways for chemical companies to implement AI: self-developed large models, third-party model integration, and investment in AI startups [13][14] Summary by Sections Policy Guidance - The State Council's document emphasizes the necessity for AI integration in the chemical industry, marking it as a compulsory aspect for achieving high-quality development [3] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's implementation opinions further detail goals for AI technology and its application in manufacturing by 2027 [4] AI Empowerment in Petrochemical Industry - AI's role in the petrochemical sector focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and safety through predictive maintenance and process optimization [5] - The establishment of high-quality data sets and infrastructure is crucial for supporting AI applications in the industry [5] AI Empowerment in New Materials Industry - The new materials sector aims to leverage AI for deep integration in research and development, enhancing capabilities in material design and synthesis [5] Implementation Pathways - Self-Developed Large Models: Companies like China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) are developing proprietary AI models to enhance their operational capabilities [9][10] - Third-Party Model Integration: WanHua Chemical collaborates with Huawei Cloud to implement AI solutions for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency [11] - Investment in AI Startups: Companies like Qicai Chemical are investing in AI startups to accelerate innovation in materials science [12][13] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on leading companies that excel in data utilization and AI integration, such as CNPC, Sinopec, and WanHua Chemical [14] - Attention is also drawn to companies involved in new materials and fine chemicals, which are expected to benefit significantly from AI-driven R&D advancements [14]