Core Viewpoint - The etching silicon components are essential consumables in wafer manufacturing, with silicon electrodes and silicon rings being the primary products. The shift from traditional etching methods to plasma etching has improved product yield and quality due to the superior properties of silicon materials compared to ceramics [1][3][4]. Industry Status Analysis - The etching silicon components industry is highly concentrated, with over twenty manufacturers globally, primarily located in the US, South Korea, and Japan. Key players include Silfex Inc., Hana Materials Inc., and Mitsubishi Materials. The Chinese market is rapidly growing, with local companies like Ningxia Shunyu Juxin and Jinzhou Shengong Semiconductor entering the field [3][4]. Product Lifecycle - In the international supply chain, silicon components are in the "mature phase," while in the Chinese market, they are still in the "introduction phase." The products are characterized by a wide variety and small batch sizes, with consumption depending on the types of plasma etching machines and manufacturing processes used by integrated circuit manufacturers [4]. Technology and Application - As advanced processes move towards 3 nm and below, the requirements for silicon components' purity, crystal orientation uniformity, and surface roughness are increasing. Mainstream products need to achieve over 9N purity, with metal ion contamination controlled at the ppb level. The demand for large-sized silicon rings and electrodes (300 mm and above) is rising, with some companies researching 450 mm components for future wafer size evolution [5][19]. Supply Chain Dynamics - Geopolitical factors are driving regions like Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea to accelerate local production to reduce reliance on single supply sources. Chinese manufacturers are also capturing market share, although they face technical challenges in high-purity and large-size products. Future trends indicate a shift towards higher purity and more complex structures in silicon components [6][20]. Global Market Scale - The global market for etching silicon components is projected to reach $1.727 billion by 2024 and $2.771 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 7.27% from 2025 to 2031. The Chinese market is expected to grow from $176 million in 2024 to $349 million by 2031, increasing its global market share from 10.24% to 12.6% [11][12]. Regional Market Insights - North America is the largest consumer market, accounting for 24.77% of the market share in 2024, followed by Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. The Chinese market is anticipated to grow the fastest, with a CAGR of approximately 10.33% from 2025 to 2031 [13][14]. Production Insights - North America, South Korea, and Japan are the top three production regions, holding 51.4%, 19.15%, and 18.73% of the market share in 2024. China's share is expected to increase from 7.5% in 2024 to 12.55% by 2031 [14]. Product Type Distribution - In 2024, silicon rings and silicon electrodes are projected to hold 53.1% and 46.9% of the market share, respectively. OEM customers are expected to account for about 68% of the market, with a CAGR of 7.22% in the coming years [15][16]. Competitive Landscape - The core manufacturers in the global etching silicon components market include Silfex Inc., Hana Materials Inc., and Mitsubishi Materials, with the top ten manufacturers holding over 90% of the market share in 2024 [16].

Summary of the Conference Call for ShenGong Co., Ltd. Industry Overview - The semiconductor core materials industry is expected to face regulatory challenges, accelerating domestic substitution trends. ShenGong Co., as a leading supplier of large-diameter silicon materials for etching, is poised to benefit significantly from this trend, particularly in its silicon component business, which is projected to grow over three times year-on-year in 2024, with continuous capacity release and record revenue [2][3][4]. Core Company Insights - ShenGong Co. primarily produces large-diameter silicon materials used in the etching process, extending into silicon components and silicon electrodes, which are core consumables in etching equipment. The company is gradually increasing its new business volume while stabilizing and recovering its traditional business [2][6]. - The company has established a strong domestic market positioning, collaborating with local wafer and equipment manufacturers, including leading firms like Huachuang and Zhongwei. The equipment manufacturers slightly dominate the business volume, but the introduction and ramp-up of storage manufacturers are ongoing [10][11]. Financial Performance and Projections - In 2024, ShenGong's silicon component business revenue is expected to reach 120 million yuan, doubling year-on-year. The company anticipates continued capacity release and a quarterly growth trend, with revenue expected to double again in 2025 [4][13]. - The gross margin for the silicon component business has improved to nearly 40%, significantly higher than the traditional level of 30%. The domestic silicon component demand is approximately 4 billion yuan, with ShenGong holding over 1 billion yuan of this market share [14][15]. Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape - The silicon component industry has historically been tightly bound to equipment manufacturers, with a concentrated market structure. However, as domestic wafer capacity increases and equipment localization progresses, the pace of domestic substitution is accelerating. ShenGong is leveraging a differentiated positioning strategy to penetrate the market through secondary components [8][9]. - The market for etching silicon wafers is estimated at 4 billion yuan, while the photonic wafer market is around 15-16 billion yuan. ShenGong has also begun to explore the 8-inch wafer market, currently undergoing certification [7]. Risks and Opportunities - The ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions have led ShenGong to cease business with core U.S. clients, insulating the company from related risks. The company has expanded its production capacity from 500 tons to 900 tons, providing room for product structure optimization and laying the groundwork for future demand for large-diameter silicon materials [17]. - The company’s zero-component business is experiencing high growth expectations due to the acceleration of domestic substitution, driven by increasing uncertainties around import controls [19]. Conclusion - ShenGong Co. is well-positioned to capitalize on the accelerating domestic substitution trend in the semiconductor materials sector. With strong growth projections for its silicon component business and a stable recovery in its traditional silicon materials segment, the company presents a compelling investment opportunity. The potential implementation of regulatory measures could serve as a short-term catalyst for growth [21].