Summary of Conference Call on UCO Industry and Company Insights Industry Overview - The UCO (Used Cooking Oil) market is driven by carbon attributes and green premiums, with prices currently around 7,700-7,800 RMB/ton, reflecting a 500-600 RMB increase since early June [2][5][25] - The market dynamics have shifted due to mandatory bio-jet fuel (SAF) blending policies in Europe and the commissioning of large domestic plants, enhancing the bargaining power of domestic producers [2][5] - The annual production of UCO from regulated kitchen waste treatment plants in China is approximately 800,000 to 900,000 tons, with slow capacity expansion due to strict project approvals [2][3][8] Company Positioning - The company specializes in kitchen organic waste treatment and UCO resource utilization, processing about 4,700-4,800 tons of waste daily with a design capacity of 5,400 tons, achieving an 88% utilization rate [3] - The company’s UCO production is around 90,000 tons annually, positioning it as a leader in the domestic UCO sector [3] Market Dynamics - UCO pricing has been influenced by the European SAF blending mandate, which requires a 2% addition by 2025, leading to increased domestic demand [5][17] - The company’s UCO sales have transitioned from international clients to domestic SAF producers, with major clients including Hai Xin Neng Ke and He Nan Jun Heng [11][12] Production and Supply Chain - UCO is categorized into several types based on quality, with the highest quality sourced from kitchen waste treatment plants, followed by mixed oils and lower-quality oils like gutter oil [9][10] - The company plans to expand its UCO production capacity to 200,000 tons annually through acquisitions and projects like "urban oil fields," targeting a daily processing capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 tons [4][15][16] Regulatory Environment - The UCO industry faces significant regulatory hurdles, with project approvals requiring local government consent and operational experience, limiting the emergence of new large-scale producers [8][9] Future Outlook - The demand for UCO is expected to grow, particularly with European policies mandating higher SAF blending ratios, which could lead to a supply shortage if domestic production does not keep pace [21][22] - The company anticipates a substantial improvement in performance in 2025, driven by cost reductions and increased oil extraction rates, with a focus on monitoring oil price fluctuations [25] Key Risks and Considerations - Oil price fluctuations significantly impact profitability, with a 1,000 RMB increase in oil prices affecting profits by approximately 90 million RMB [25] - The company is advised to keep an eye on UCO price trends and the prices of palm oil and rapeseed oil, as they are closely linked to UCO pricing [25]