Summary of the Conference Call for Zhangguang Co., Ltd. Company Overview - Zhangguang Co., Ltd. is a leading enterprise in the domestic ion exchange resin sector, particularly strong in nuclear industry applications, and is actively expanding into high-end niche markets such as electronic-grade and biopharmaceuticals, benefiting from accelerated domestic substitution [2][4][5] Industry Position and Market Dynamics - The company has a significant market position in the ion exchange resin industry, being a standard setter and holding a market share of approximately 70% in domestic sales, with 20%-30% in overseas sales [2][10] - The impact of the US-China trade war on the company is limited, with sales to the US accounting for only about 20 to 30 million yuan, presenting new opportunities through domestic substitution, especially in thermal power, nuclear power, and supercritical fluid sectors [7][8] Capacity Expansion and Production - The company has been continuously expanding its production capacity, with new products launched in 2024 including 2,300 tons of macroporous adsorption resin and 15,000 tons of food-grade refined treatment resin. In Q4 2025, the Jinmen project will add 55,000 tons of capacity, with gradual ramp-up expected in 2026 [2][6] - The Ningbo base has maintained full production and sales status, with new capacity expected to optimize product structure and enhance the proportion of mid-to-high-end products, leading to potential improvements in gross margin and pricing [11][12] Product Portfolio and Applications - The main products include acrylic resins and styrene-based resins, widely used in semiconductor manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals [10][20] - The company is focusing on electronic-grade polishing resins, having achieved stable supply for panels and testing samples for downstream suppliers like Yangtze Memory Technologies [3][23] Financial Performance and Future Outlook - The company has shown steady growth since 2011, with current annual revenue from the Ningbo base around 500 to 600 million yuan and profits between 110 to 130 million yuan, primarily from industrial water treatment and food-grade applications [16] - The company anticipates a significant performance increase with the full production of the Jinmen project, potentially doubling or tripling its earnings in the medium to long term [26] Shareholding Structure and Management - The shareholding structure is concentrated, with the major shareholder holding approximately 52% and the core management team holding about 60% to 70%. There are no short-term plans for share reduction, but future capital market operations may support new projects [9] Competitive Landscape - The ion exchange resin industry is characterized by a three-tier competitive structure, with top-tier companies being established overseas brands, followed by domestic firms like Zhangguang and Blue Sky Technology, and a third tier of numerous small enterprises [18] Strategic Initiatives and Collaborations - The company is making strides in domestic substitution across various sectors, including food-grade and electronic semiconductors, with significant progress in nuclear industry applications [15][24] - Collaborations in the biopharmaceutical sector are ongoing, with laboratory product samples already sent to downstream customers, indicating positive feedback [25] Valuation and Profitability Forecast - The company is projected to have a PE ratio of 34 times in 2025, above the industry average of 23 times, but with a PEG ratio of 0.3 times in 2026, indicating better value compared to the industry average of 0.8 times. Earnings are expected to reach around 200 million yuan in 2026 and 260 million yuan in 2027, suggesting significant growth potential [27]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a rating of "Increase" for the industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in the sector [6]. Core Insights - The demand for ion exchange resins is expanding across various sectors, including semiconductors, nuclear power, and pharmaceuticals, with a particular focus on leading companies like Bluestar Technology and ZG Co [4][5]. - In the semiconductor industry, ion exchange resins are crucial for producing ultra-pure water, which is essential for the manufacturing of electronic components. The production of a single integrated circuit requires approximately 3 to 5 liters of ultra-pure water, with a 6-inch wafer consuming about 1.2 tons [1]. - In the nuclear industry, ion exchange resins are used in the water treatment systems of reactors, ensuring the provision of high-quality ultra-pure water, which is vital for the stable operation of steam generators [2]. - In the biopharmaceutical sector, ion exchange resins are widely utilized for the separation and purification of various biological drugs, including antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine components, due to their high efficiency and product purity [3]. Summary by Sections Semiconductor Industry - Ion exchange resins are primarily used in ultra-pure water production for cleaning and processing electronic components, with stringent quality requirements as technology advances [1]. Nuclear Industry - The use of nuclear-grade resins in reactor water treatment systems is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and reducing fouling in steam generators [2]. Pharmaceutical Industry - Ion exchange and adsorption resins are extensively applied in the extraction and purification of a wide range of biopharmaceuticals, benefiting from their simple operation and high product purity [3]. Company Focus - Bluestar Technology is recognized as a leading domestic player in the adsorption separation materials and technology sector, with a current production capacity of 50,000 tons per year and plans for expansion [4]. - ZG Co is also highlighted for its significant production capabilities in ion exchange and adsorption resins, with ongoing investments in new projects to enhance its production capacity [4].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a rating of "Increase" for the industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in the sector [6]. Core Insights - The demand for ion exchange resins is expanding across various sectors, including semiconductors, nuclear industry, and pharmaceuticals, with a particular focus on leading companies like Bluestar Technology and ZG Co [4][5]. - In the semiconductor sector, ion exchange resins are crucial for producing ultra-pure water, which is essential for the manufacturing of electronic components. The production of a single integrated circuit requires approximately 3 to 5 liters of ultra-pure water, with a 6-inch wafer consuming about 1.2 tons [1]. - In the nuclear industry, ion exchange resins are used in the water treatment systems of reactors, ensuring the provision of high-quality ultra-pure water, which is vital for the stable operation of steam generators [2]. - The pharmaceutical sector utilizes ion exchange resins for the separation and purification of various biopharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine components, due to their high purity and operational efficiency [3]. Summary by Sections Semiconductor Industry - Ion exchange resins are primarily used in ultra-pure water production for semiconductor manufacturing, with stringent quality requirements as technology advances [1]. Nuclear Industry - The use of nuclear-grade ion exchange resins in reactor water treatment systems is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and reducing fouling in steam generators [2]. Pharmaceutical Industry - Ion exchange and adsorption resins are widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry for the extraction and purification of various drugs, benefiting from their simple operation and high product purity [3]. Company Focus - Bluestar Technology is recognized as a leading domestic player in the adsorption separation materials and technology sector, with a current production capacity of 50,000 tons per year and plans for expansion [4]. - ZG Co is actively investing in the ion exchange and adsorption resin field, with a designed production capacity of 19,750 tons and plans for a new project in Hubei with a total investment of 1 billion RMB [4].

Group 1: Company Overview - The company specializes in nuclear power applications and has established collaborations with national nuclear technology authorities to enhance product offerings [2][3] - The company is actively involved in battery recycling, extracting valuable metals such as manganese, cobalt, and nickel from production waste [3] Group 2: Market Goals - The company aims to capture a larger share of the mid-to-high-end water treatment market, focusing on high-parameter, high-capacity power plants [3] - Condensate water treatment accounts for over 90% of boiler feed water, making its quality critical for safe power plant operations [3] Group 3: Investment Projects - As of the end of 2024, several projects have been completed, including the ion exchange resin technology R&D center and automation upgrades [3] - The annual production line for food-grade resin, capable of processing 15,000 tons, was completed by the end of 2023 [3] - The large-pore adsorption resin technology upgrade project, with a capacity of 2,300 tons, was completed by the end of 2022 [3] Group 4: Production Base Development - The Jingmen production base will focus on applications in new energy, environmental protection, and biomedicine, complementing the Ningbo production capacity [4] - The Jingmen project is expected to begin trial production by the end of 2025 and reach operational status by April 2026 [4] Group 5: Dividend Policy - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 2.60 yuan (including tax) for every 10 shares based on the 2024 profit distribution plan, with no stock dividends or capital reserve conversions [4]

Core Viewpoint - DuPont China Group is under investigation by the State Administration for Market Regulation for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law, which may accelerate the domestic substitution process for ion exchange resins in China [3][5]. Group 1: Company Overview - DuPont's total sales for the fiscal year 2023 reached $12.1 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for 43% of sales, while North America contributed approximately 35% [4]. - The company focuses on five major growth areas: Electronics (29%), Water Treatment (12%), Protection (21%), Industrial Technologies (28%), and Next-Generation Driving (10%) [4]. - DuPont plans to spin off its electronics business by November 1, 2025, while retaining the water treatment business within its portfolio [4]. Group 2: Market Impact - In 2023, DuPont's water treatment and protection business generated sales of $5.6 billion, with the water treatment segment contributing approximately $1.5 billion, representing 26% of the total [5]. - The water treatment business experienced a 4% year-over-year decline in 2024, primarily due to inventory destocking by distributors, but is expected to see a 7% increase in the second half of 2024 [5]. - The ongoing investigation may expedite the domestic substitution of ion exchange resins, particularly in the industrial water treatment sector, benefiting domestic leaders like Bluestar Technology and Zhengguang Co. [5]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The global market for ion exchange resins used in ultra-pure water production reached $1.34 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $2.3 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5% from 2024 to 2030 [6]. - The Chinese market has shown rapid growth in recent years, with domestic manufacturers like Zhengguang Co. and Bluestar Technology pushing for high-end ion exchange resin substitution [6]. - Ultra-pure water treatment resins are critical in high-end markets such as semiconductors and nuclear industries, where the purity of ultra-pure water directly impacts product quality and yield [6].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the basic chemical industry [1] Core Viewpoints - DuPont is under investigation for antitrust violations in China, which may accelerate the domestic substitution process for ion exchange resins [5] - DuPont's sales in the Asia-Pacific region account for 43% of its total sales, with significant contributions from electronic and water treatment sectors [4] - The water treatment and protection business of DuPont generated sales of $5.6 billion in 2023, with a slight decline expected in 2024 [5] - The investigation could benefit domestic leaders in ion exchange resins, such as Bluestar Technology and Zhengguang Co., as they may capture market share previously held by DuPont [5][6] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The global market for ion exchange resins used in ultra-pure water production reached $1.34 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $2.3 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.5% from 2024 to 2030 [6] Company Insights - DuPont plans to spin off its electronic business by November 2025, while retaining its water treatment business [4] - The water treatment business's sales are expected to decline slightly in 2024 but show growth in the second half of the year [5] Market Dynamics - The antitrust investigation may catalyze the domestic production of ion exchange resins, particularly in industrial water treatment [5] - Domestic manufacturers are actively pursuing high-end applications in sectors like semiconductors and nuclear industries [6]