Investment Rating - The report rates the bismuth industry as "Positive" [4] Core Insights - Short-term bismuth supply and demand are in a weak balance, with tight raw material supply supporting high prices, but weak exports and high inventory levels limit recovery space, leading to a potential price fluctuation in the short term. In the medium to long term, domestic environmental regulations will tighten, maintaining a tight supply of smelting raw materials, with supply growth expected to be only 2-4%. Meanwhile, demand from electronics, photovoltaic solder, and semiconductor thermoelectric materials is expected to grow at 8-10%, leading to a gradual convergence of supply surplus and a balanced state in the next 2-3 years [1][2][3]. Supply Side - China dominates global bismuth supply, accounting for 75% of the 23,940 tons produced in 2023. The expansion of production capacity is constrained by raw material shortages, with supply growth expected to be around 2-4% [2][25][26]. - The supply of refined bismuth is limited due to a continuous shortage of raw materials, particularly bismuth ore and recycling materials from lead and copper production. Current visible inventory levels are decreasing, indicating reduced inventory pressure [26][28]. Demand Side - Domestic bismuth consumption remains focused on traditional sectors, but high-tech demand from semiconductors and renewable energy is creating a second growth curve for bismuth. Overall consumption has been stable, with significant growth expected in electronics and semiconductors [2][31][34]. - China is the largest exporter of bismuth, with over 60% of bismuth metal used for export. Long-term export volumes are expected to return to normal levels, with a shift from metal bismuth to bismuth oxide exports [34]. Industry Development Trends - The bismuth industry is transitioning towards high-value-added products, with a focus on high-purity bismuth and advanced bismuth-based materials. There is a notable technological gap compared to Europe, the US, and Japan in high-end bismuth products [3][19]. - The report highlights the potential applications of bismuth in superconductors, nuclear reactor coolants, and electronic devices, indicating a strong future demand in high-tech fields [36][41][42].