Affected by geographical conflicts, neon, one of the special rare gases required by the semiconductor supply chain, has soared nearly eight times in the past month. Special rare gases, also known as the “blood” of the semiconductor industry, are crucial to its normal operation. On March 22, the enterprise Hunan Kaimeite Gases Co.Ltd(002549) announced that it won 45 million yuan of high-purity neon gas sales contract. While winning the positive evaluation of securities companies, the company recently ushered in rounds of research by a number of institutions.
global semiconductor faces the risk of neon shortage
Neon is an inert gas with extremely inactive chemical properties. It is often used in color neon lights and luminous indicators. In recent years, the semiconductor chip manufacturing process has been gradually reduced, and the light fineness of the lithography machine has been synchronously improved. Objectively, it is required to increase the proportion of high-purity neon in the mixed special gas required by its core component laser generator.
According to the special research report of Zheshang Securities Co.Ltd(601878) 3 / 22, the price of neon gas has continued to rise since the third quarter of 2021. Affected by geographical events, the price of neon gas has increased from 1700 yuan / m3 to 15000 yuan / m3 in recent one month, with a price increase of nearly 8 times.
Statistics show that China is one of the largest producers of neon gas, and its neon gas production capacity has reached 487000 m3 / year in 2021, an increase of 624.70% over 2014. Chinese iron and steel enterprises represented by Handan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and Baosteel have added large-scale neon gas production units, which has a hidden trend of seizing the first place in the world’s neon gas production capacity.
In order to ensure the stable source of high-purity neon gas, American AP gas, Linde gas, French liquid air and plex have placed orders in China to grab goods in order to ensure the stability of their own supply.
“little giant” deep cultivation of special gas
In recent days, the “Little Giant specializing in special gases” Hunan Kaimeite Gases Co.Ltd(002549) , which specializes in the field of special gases, has received more than 100 institutions, including yixin’an asset management, Hongshang capital, Huabao asset management, Boshi fund, Huaxia Fund, Huatai Securities Co.Ltd(601688) asset management, to investigate and explain its neon business to various investment institutions. On March 22, Hunan Kaimeite Gases Co.Ltd(002549) issued a voluntary information disclosure announcement, and its KEMET electronic special gas company signed a 45 million yuan high-purity neon gas contract, which will have a positive impact on the operating performance of KEMET electronic special gas company in 2022.
Hunan Kaimeite Gases Co.Ltd(002549) relevant personnel introduced the current global rare gas market pattern to the reporter: “With the continuous improvement of chip semiconductor process, the demand for neon, xenon and krypton is increasing. The above rare special gases are not only used in the semiconductor industry, but also widely used in biomedicine, aerospace and military industry. However, overseas gas sources are only sold in a small amount in the Chinese market. If China’s semiconductor industry wants to be stable and far-reaching, it must take the road of self-reliance and self-improvement.”
Hunan Kaimeite Gases Co.Ltd(002549) another relevant person deduced the future market of rare gases: “China’s existing rare special gases such as neon, xenon and krypton mainly come from large steel plants. Air separation devices need to be added in steel plants in advance, and bulk gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon must be digested and sold at the same time in order to recover the initial investment cost. In the short term, due to the fixed production capacity and long investment and construction cycle of China’s large steel plants, it is difficult for the production capacity of neon, xenon and krypton to grow by leaps and bounds. Affected by the current geopolitical conflict, the price of neon gas is very low Ge may maintain a strong upward pattern. We have sufficient reserve gas in the early stage, and our processes and products have been verified by customers. It is expected that the market share will be further opened. “
Other persons also introduced the progress of special gases mentioned above: “We also arrange other special gases for electronics. In addition to neon gas, it is expected that after the completion of Yizhang special gas project, electronic grade deuterium, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen iodide, chlorine trifluoride, carbonyl fluoride, acetylene and other high-purity products will be produced. The semiconductor industry chain needs thousands of special gases, which is an indispensable ‘blood’ for the semiconductor industry. The blood of the domestic semiconductor industry needs to get rid of external constraints , this is one of the directions of our efforts. “
