Summary of the Conference Call for Zhenhua Co., Ltd. Industry Overview - **Chromium Salt Demand**: Global chromium salt demand is expected to increase from 930,000 tons in 2024 to 1,310,000 tons by 2028, a growth of 380,000 tons. Zhenhua's production capacity is projected to grow by only 110,000 tons during the same period, leading to a potential capacity shortfall of approximately 250,000 tons by 2028. This is due to restrictions on hexavalent chromium capacity expansion, positioning Zhenhua to benefit from a high prosperity cycle [2][3]. - **Gas Turbine Market Growth**: The global gas turbine market is rapidly expanding, driven by AI demand, renewable energy peak shaving, and grid updates. Deliveries are expected to rise from 30 GW in 2024 to 91.4 GW by 2028, doubling the demand for metallic chromium from 23,000 tons to 49,700 tons [2][6]. - **Commercial Aircraft Shortage**: The global commercial aircraft fleet is aging, with an average age of 14.8 years. GE's commercial engine backlog has increased by 76% to $11.5 billion, with metallic chromium demand in this sector expected to nearly double from 9,800 tons to 19,400 tons by 2028 [2][7]. - **Military and Aerospace Demand**: NATO countries are committing to increase defense spending, leading to a peak in military aviation upgrades and maintenance, alongside strong growth in commercial rocket and aerospace sectors, driving robust demand for metallic chromium [2][8]. Company Insights - **Zhenhua's Market Position**: Zhenhua occupies a significant position in the chromium salt industry, particularly in sodium dichromate production. The company is the largest domestic supplier with a production capacity of 260,000 tons in 2024, followed by Sichuan Yinhe and CITIC Jinzhou [2][9]. - **Production and Sales Balance**: Zhenhua achieved a sales volume of over 7,000 tons in 2024, reaching production-sales balance. The actual delivery volume in Q1 2025 exceeded 2,500 tons, with expectations for further sales growth [2][11]. - **Revenue Projections**: Forecasted revenues for Zhenhua are 4.57 billion yuan, 5.39 billion yuan, and 6.18 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with corresponding net profits of 766 million yuan, 1.005 billion yuan, and 1.334 billion yuan [3][29]. Market Dynamics - **Concentration of Chromium Salt Industry**: The domestic chromium salt industry is highly concentrated, with Zhenhua leading in capacity. The total domestic capacity is approximately 520,000 tons, with Zhenhua's capacity being the largest [2][9]. - **Global Supply Concentration**: The global supply of metallic chromium is concentrated among a few suppliers, with Zhenhua being the largest domestic supplier. The supply chain dynamics indicate that profits will likely flow upstream to the major producers [2][10]. - **Export Growth**: China's exports of metallic chromium and its oxides have significantly increased, with a reported 18% year-on-year growth in unrefined chromium powder exports from January to May 2025 [2][27]. Investment Outlook - **Valuation and Rating**: Zhenhua's current P/E ratios are 13x, 10x, and 8x for the next three years, leading to a maintained buy rating for the company based on its strong market position and growth potential [2][5][29]. This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting the industry's growth prospects, Zhenhua's strategic positioning, and the anticipated financial performance.