Core Viewpoint - Fangda Carbon's 2025 semi-annual report indicates a significant decline in revenue and profit, attributed to reduced sales volume and increased competition in the graphite electrode market [2][4]. Company Overview and Financial Indicators - Company Name: Fangda Carbon New Material Co., Ltd. [2] - Stock Code: 600516 [2] - Total Revenue for the first half of 2025: CNY 1.69 billion, a decrease of 28.13% compared to CNY 2.35 billion in the same period last year [2][11]. - Total Profit: CNY 55.92 million, down 75.62% from CNY 229.33 million year-on-year [2][11]. - Net Profit attributable to shareholders: CNY 54.53 million, a decline of 68.31% from CNY 172.09 million [2][11]. - Net cash flow from operating activities: -CNY 290.76 million, a decrease of 190.42% compared to CNY 321.56 million in the previous year [2][11]. - Total assets at the end of the reporting period: CNY 20.46 billion, an increase of 0.45% from CNY 20.37 billion at the end of the previous year [2][11]. Industry and Business Analysis - The company operates in the non-metallic mineral products industry, specifically in the manufacturing of graphite and other non-metallic mineral products [3]. - Key products include graphite electrodes, carbon bricks, isotropic graphite, nuclear-grade carbon/graphite materials, graphene materials, and carbon/carbon composite materials [3]. - The company has achieved breakthroughs in nuclear-grade carbon/graphite materials and graphene materials, filling domestic gaps and breaking foreign monopolies [3]. - The overall market for graphite electrodes has faced challenges due to decreased demand from steel mills and increased competition, leading to many companies operating at a loss [4][11]. - In the first half of 2025, China's total graphite electrode production was approximately 374,600 tons, a decrease of 17.96% year-on-year [4]. Operational Performance - The company has maintained a competitive edge through a comprehensive R&D, procurement, production, sales, and after-sales service system [4]. - The operational strategy focuses on sales-driven production and high-end market promotion, optimizing product structure and increasing the promotion of high-value-added products [4]. - The company has made significant progress in international market expansion, successfully entering several emerging markets, which has supported revenue growth [4]. Competitive Advantages - The company has a strong management team with extensive experience in the carbon industry, enabling it to identify industry trends and seize development opportunities [6][7]. - Continuous investment in technology innovation and collaboration with top research institutions has led to significant advancements in core technologies [6][7]. - The company emphasizes fine management to reduce costs and improve efficiency, resulting in stable product quality and increased operational efficiency [8][10].

Core Insights - The carbon industry is at a crossroads due to deep adjustments in the global economic landscape and accelerated industrial transformation, prompting companies to innovate and optimize resource allocation to maintain competitive advantages [3][4][5] Group 1: Industry Challenges and Strategies - The carbon industry faces downward pressure from fluctuating raw material prices, reduced demand in the steel sector, and complex international economic conditions, leading to sustained low prices for graphite electrode products and decreased profitability [4][5] - The company emphasizes the importance of refining internal capabilities during industry downturns, focusing on market-oriented strategies and fine management to enhance resource allocation efficiency and maintain leading profitability [4][5] - The company is investing in smart upgrades to improve automation in key production processes, exemplified by a collaboration with Jingtai Technology to develop an intelligent dynamic optimization system for the baking process of graphite electrodes, significantly reducing energy consumption and improving product uniformity [5] Group 2: Technological Innovation and New Opportunities - The year 2025 is identified as a critical turning point for the company, with a strategic partnership established with CATL to co-develop key technologies in lithium battery materials, solid-state battery electrolytes, and supercapacitor electrodes, aiming for industrial zero-carbon development [6][7] - The company plans to invest over 57 million yuan in 2024 for R&D focused on new products and materials, particularly in carbon/carbon composite materials and graphene, to drive technological innovation and product upgrades [7] - The company has established long-term strategic partnerships with universities and research institutions to enhance its R&D capabilities in graphene and other advanced materials, achieving significant breakthroughs in various applications [8] Group 3: Talent Development and Organizational Strength - The company is actively recruiting over 600 personnel, highlighting the importance of talent as a core competitive advantage for developing new production capabilities [8] - The company has established partnerships with renowned academic institutions to foster high-level talent development, which is crucial for advancing its technological innovation efforts [8] - The focus remains on developing carbon new materials while maintaining a stable growth trajectory in traditional products like graphite electrodes and carbon bricks [9]