[Energy-saving equipment] Multiple factors lead to the soaring European gas prices; China’s export of air-source heat pump surges.
In the past two months, European natural gas prices have been rising. For one thing, it is influenced by the Russian-Ukrainian war. For another, the sustained high temperature has led to a sharp increase in demand for electricity in Europe, and the energy crunch has further pushed up the prices. The air-source heat pump is power-saving and pollution-free as a substitute for natural-gas heating. As European countries vigorously subsidize air heating units, demand for overseas air-source heat pump keep growing. Relevant data show that China’s export of air-source heat pumps reached 3.45 billion yuan in the first half of this year, an increase of 68.2%.
Key Point: Air-source heat pumps have highlighted their advantages against the European energy crunch. With the coming peak of winter heating demand in the fourth quarter, the domestic Dayuan Pump, Devotion Thermal Technology, and other heat pump production enterprises are expected to benefit.
[Semiconductor] China’s 8-inch N-type silicon carbide is expected to break the foreign monopoly.
Recently, Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical successfully developed its first 8-inch N-type SiC crystal, with a blank thickness of 25mm and diameter of 214mm. The success of this research and development is expected to break the technical monopoly of foreign enterprises and thus break their market monopoly. As materials of the largest scale in the third generation of semiconductor commercialization, silicon carbide is mainly required to expand the substrate size. The industry’s mainstream SiC substrate size is 4 and 6 inches, and 8-inch (200mm) ones are under development. The second requirement is to increase the thickness of the SiC single crystal. Recently, the first domestic 6-inch SiC single crystal with a thickness of 50mm was developed successfully.
Key Point: SiC is an emerging semiconductor material. The gap between China and the international leaders is narrower than in the first- and second-generation semiconductors. China is expected to catch up with global leaders in the near future. As the domestic layout expands, TanKeBlue, Roshow Technology, and other enterprises are investing in the construction of third-generation power semiconductor projects. Demand for silicon carbide materials and related devices is expected to explode.
[Chemicals] Mitsui Chemicals and Teijin join forces to develop bio-based bisphenol A and polycarbonate resins.
Mitsui Chemicals and Teijin have announced the joint development and marketing of bio-based bisphenol A (BPA) and polycarbonate (PC) resins. In May this year, Mitsui Chemicals received ISCC PLUS certification for BPA feedstock for polycarbonate resins. The material has the same physical properties as conventional petroleum-based BPA. Teijin will source bio-based BPA from Mitsui Chemicals to produce bio-based polycarbonate resins with the same physical properties as petroleum-based ones. This will allow the new bio-based version to be used in commercial applications such as automotive headlamps and electronic components.
Key Point: Teijin emphasizes that traditional petroleum-based polycarbonate resins can be easily replaced by biomass-derived products. The company hopes to obtain ISCC PLUS certification in the first half of FY2023 and then begin commercial production of bio-based polycarbonate resins.
[Electronics] Car display becomes a new battlefield of Mini LED; Investment of the upstream and downstream industry chain is active.
Mini LED has high contrast, high brightness, curved adaptability, and other advantages, which can cover applications inside and outside the car. The Great Wall car, SAIC, One, NIO, and Cadillac are equipped with the product. With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, product penetration is expected to reach 15% by 2025, and the market size will reach 4.50 million pieces, with huge market space in the future. TCL, Tianma, Sanan, Leyard, and other enterprises are actively making a layout.
Key Point: With the accelerated penetration of automotive intelligence, demand for car screens is growing yearly. Mini LED performs better than the traditional display, providing opportunities to accelerate their “onboarding”.
[Energy Storage] The first international standard system of new power systems is “coming out”; The industry chain of energy storage ushers in development opportunities.
Recently, the International Electrotechnical Commission proposed that China takes the lead in developing the world’s first international standard framework system for key technologies of new power systems. It is to accelerate the construction of new power systems and promote energy’s clean and low-carbon transformation. The new power system features wind, light, nuclear, biomass, and other new energy sources while multiple energy sources complement each other to support the high electrification of the whole society. Among them, energy storage is crucial to supporting the access and consumption of high-proportion renewable energy in power generation. Relevant institutions predict that with the policy support and order landing, 2022 will become a juncture for the industrial development of energy storage.
Key Point: In the domestic energy storage market, Ceepower provides EPC services for light storage and charging projects. It has invested in integrated light storage and charging demonstration projects at its Fuqing plant. Zheshang Development focuses on module production and processing and supply chain integration services in photovoltaics and energy storage.
[Photovoltaic] Thin-film cells become a new growth point; Domestic production capacity is expected to increase nearly 12 times in 2025.
Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology and nine other departments issued the Science and Technology to Support the Implementation of the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Program (2022-2030). It puts forward the research of high-efficiency thin-film cells and other new technologies for photovoltaic cells. Thin-film cells include CdTe, CIGS, GaAs stacked thin-film cells and perovskite cells. The first three have been commercialized, and if the lifespan and large-area efficiency loss of perovskite cells can be improved, it will become a new growth point for the PV market.
Key Point: The Ministry of Housing and Construction proposes to promote the construction of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in the Implementation Plan for the Carbon Peaking in Urban and Rural Construction. It aims to achieve 50% coverage of new public institutions and factory rooftops by 2025, bringing new development opportunities for thin-film cells.
The above information comes from public media and is for reference only.
Post time: Aug-26-2022