Group 1 - Core viewpoint: Defu Technology is a leader in the copper foil industry, with new opportunities arising from high-end electronic circuits and solid-state battery products. The company has been deeply involved in the copper foil sector for 40 years, starting with electronic circuit copper foil and gradually expanding into lithium battery copper foil. In Q1 2025, the company achieved revenue of 2.501 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 110%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 18 million yuan, marking a turnaround in profitability with a continuous upward trend in operations [1][2]. Group 2 - Electronic circuit copper foil: The domestic substitution of RTF (Reverse Copper Foil) and HVLP (High Voltage Low Profile Copper Foil) is expected, with carrier copper foil also likely to achieve breakthroughs. The cost of copper foil accounts for 42.10% of the cost of copper-clad laminates, which constitute 27.30% of the PCB cost. RTF and HVLP are mainstream products for high-frequency and high-speed copper-clad laminates, currently dominated by suppliers from Japan and Taiwan. The company has potential for domestic substitution, with HVLP1-2 already in small-scale supply for projects like Nvidia and 400G/800G optical modules. HVLP3 has passed certification for Japanese copper-clad laminates and is expected to be released in 2025 for domestic computing board projects. Additionally, the company plans to acquire Luxembourg Copper Foil, a global leader in high-end IT copper foil, which has long-term collaborations with top global copper-clad laminate and PCB companies, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in high-end electronic circuit copper foil [1]. Group 3 - Lithium battery copper foil: The supply-demand situation is improving from 2023 to 2025, with effective industry capacity projected at 1.18 million tons in 2023, 1.45 million tons in 2024, and 1.52 million tons in 2025, while global demand is expected to be 610,000 tons, 830,000 tons, and 1.1 million tons respectively. The supply-demand gap is narrowing from 93% in 2023 to 38% in 2025, with limited new capacity expected in 2025. The company is actively developing new solid-state battery products such as atomized copper foil, microporous copper foil, and nickel-plated copper foil, all of which have achieved mass supply [2]. Group 4 - Profit forecast and investment suggestion: The company is expected to achieve net profits attributable to shareholders of 112 million yuan, 312 million yuan, and 452 million yuan from 2025 to 2027, with year-on-year growth rates of 145.8%, 177.9%, and 44.8% respectively. Considering comparable companies and a valuation premium, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50x for the 2026 net profit is suggested, corresponding to a reasonable value of 24.77 yuan per share. The company is covered for the first time with a "buy" rating [2].

Industry Overview - The solid-state battery index (886032.TI) has shown strong performance, rising by 1.32% on June 25, and has accumulated a total increase of 15.56% since June [1] - The solid-state battery industry is expected to benefit from supportive policies and improved standards starting from 2025, with a key national standard for electric vehicle batteries set to be implemented in July 2026 [4] - The commercialization of semi-solid-state batteries is anticipated by 2027, with full solid-state batteries expected to reach a critical industrialization point by 2030 [4] Company Developments - Dongfang Electric Heating (300217.SZ) is the only supplier in China capable of mass-producing pre-plated nickel materials for power applications, and it plans to adapt its equipment for solid-state battery current collector materials [4] - Defu Technology (301511.SZ) provides solutions for semi/full solid-state battery anode current collectors, including atomized copper foil and nickel-plated copper foil, with products already in mass supply [4] - Hailiang Co., Ltd. (002203.SZ) has initiated joint R&D and trial production of new copper foil products for solid-state batteries, with mass production expected by 2025 [4] - Nord Co., Ltd. (600110.SH) reported that its copper foil business for solid-state batteries contributes less than 1% to total revenue, indicating limited economic scale and high market competition [4] - Xiangtan Electrochemical (002125.SZ) is collaborating with solid-state battery companies on manganese oxide lithium applications, currently in small batch testing with no revenue impact [4] - Longpan Technology (603906.SH) is developing solid-state battery ternary precursors, with some materials undergoing customer testing but not yet generating sales revenue [4]

Core Viewpoint - The lithium battery copper foil industry is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, with 嘉元科技 (Jia Yuan Technology) achieving significant revenue growth and profitability in Q1 2025, marking a potential turning point for the company and the industry as a whole [1][2]. Company Summary - 嘉元科技 reported an expected net profit of 22 million to 30 million yuan for Q1 2025, a significant turnaround from losses in the previous year [1]. - The company has established a leading position in the lithium battery copper foil market, benefiting from over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on capacity, technology research and development, and customer resources [2][3]. - 嘉元科技's thin high-end lithium battery copper foil products, particularly the 4.5μm variant, hold a significant market share, and the company has made breakthroughs in various specialized copper foil products [2]. - The increase in sales orders and improved capacity utilization contributed to 嘉元科技's profitability, with a reduction in production costs leading to higher gross margins [3]. Industry Summary - The lithium battery copper foil industry is witnessing a surge in demand due to the growing need for clean energy and efficient storage solutions, resulting in an expanding market size [2]. - The industry is characterized by intense competition and rapid technological advancements, necessitating companies to adapt to higher performance requirements for copper foil products [2]. - 嘉元科技's profitability signals a positive turning point for the lithium battery copper foil industry, with expectations of increased collaboration with leading battery manufacturers and potential price increases in the second half of the year [4].