In the wave of technological development, the robotics industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, with PEEK materials as one of the key elements, adding complexity and opportunities to this process.
Wang Ge has conducted an in-depth exploration and analysis of relevant industry information, and the following is a detailed interpretation of the current state of the robotics industry and the application of PEEK materials.
Robotics Industry: Exceeding Expectations and Market Differentiation
The progress of the robotics industry has far exceeded market expectations at the beginning of the year, showing a strong upward momentum. From the beginning of the year to now, its depth and breadth of development have continuously expanded, and market attention has continued to rise. In this process, marginal changes in the industry, such as supply chain optimization, breakthroughs in key components, and the application of new materials, have become important factors affecting market performance. Among them, the segments with higher product maturity are particularly favored by the market, becoming the focus of investment. The segment of harmonic reducers has shown particularly outstanding market performance, achieving more than three times growth in the third quarter compared to the second quarter, and doubling again in the fourth quarter, demonstrating astonishing growth potential.
This phenomenon reflects a clear understanding and judgment of the market regarding the technological maturity and commercialization prospects of different stages of the robotics industry. Segments with higher product maturity, due to their relatively stable technology and clear market application prospects, can achieve industrialization and scaling more quickly, thus attracting more investment and resources.
Harmonic Reducers: Coexisting Technical Requirements and Market Opportunities
As a key component in the humanoid robotics industry chain, harmonic reducers are in a critical transition phase from small-batch production to mass production. This phase is characterized by an accelerated mass production rhythm, which places higher demands on companies’ production capacity, quality control, and supply chain management. At the same time, harmonic reducers have very high hardware technology requirements, and their performance directly affects the motion accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of robots, making them one of the core factors determining robot performance. Therefore, the technological research and development and production capacity of harmonic reducers have also become important driving forces for industry development.
Currently, there are still some components in the robotics engineering supply chain that have not achieved localization, such as sensors, harmonic reducers, and bearings. The localization of these components will become an inevitable trend in future industry development, providing huge market opportunities for domestic related enterprises. Recently, technological breakthroughs and application expansions of harmonic reducers in areas such as lead screws, torque sensors, and liquid electronics have shown their great potential in enhancing robot performance and functionality. For example, ZJRT’s technological accumulation and market performance in the lead screw field are worth attention and further research.
Tesla, as a leading enterprise in the global technology field, has also attracted widespread market attention with its visits to domestic supply chains. From the companies it visited and the content of the discussions, it is clear that Tesla has high requirements for the lightweight design of harmonic reducers in humanoid robots and the application of new materials. Additionally, there are clear expectations for key performance indicators such as motor power density. Furthermore, the boundary iteration of the hand has also become a key focus area. This information provides valuable insights into the technological development directions and market demands of industry-leading companies, guiding domestic enterprises in their technological research and product innovation.
PEEK Materials: Application Expansion and Cost Challenges
PEEK materials, as a high-performance engineering plastic, have broad application prospects in the robotics industry. Since the feasibility of its industrial trends was validated at the end of 2023, its applications in lead screws, harmonic reducers, structural components, and other areas have been continuously expanding. The advantages of PEEK materials lie in their ability to achieve lightweight alternatives to aluminum while possessing a series of excellent physical properties such as self-lubrication and high strength. These characteristics play an important role in enhancing the performance and reliability of robots. Currently, the application of PEEK materials in the lead screw field has begun to be used in large quantities and is expected to further expand into key components such as steel wheels and gears of harmonic reducers in the future. If costs can be effectively controlled, PEEK materials may also be widely used to replace aerospace aluminum in structural components, further enhancing the performance and efficiency of robots.
However, the large-scale application of PEEK materials also faces cost challenges. Currently, the price of PEEK materials is about 350,000 yuan/ton, and the high cost limits its application in broader fields. However, from the production process perspective, there is significant room for cost reduction from upstream fluorocarbon raw materials to midstream polycondensation reactions, purification, and modification. It is expected that within the next two years, the price of PEEK materials may drop to around 150,000 yuan/ton. This decrease in cost will greatly promote the widespread application of PEEK materials in the robotics industry and other high-end manufacturing fields, leading to explosive growth in the industry.
Patent issues are another key factor in the development of the PEEK materials industry. In the current market environment, companies with relevant patented technologies will have a competitive advantage. For example, ZXFC has formed a comprehensive competitive advantage in cost, patents, and customer resources through its overseas patent licensing and integrated processes with core customers, giving it strong competitiveness in the PEEK materials market.
Investment Targets
Among the investment targets related to the robotics industry and PEEK materials, companies like ZXFC and NBHX are worth paying attention to. ZXFC, as one of the recommended companies, has strong technical capabilities and market layout in the PEEK materials field, giving it high potential for stock price appreciation in this round of industry explosion. Its overseas patent licensing and core customer resources provide strong support for its market competitiveness. Additionally, its efforts in optimizing production processes and controlling costs will further enhance its market competitiveness and profitability.
NBHX, as a large enterprise with a profit scale of around 2 billion, will have a significant impact on the entire industry if it enters the PEEK materials sector. The entry of large enterprises can not only bring sufficient funding and resource investment but also quickly enhance the industry’s penetration and market acceptance through their influence and market channel advantages in the industry chain. Furthermore, the chairman’s cautious decision-making style and strong execution will provide strong support for the company’s strategic layout and business development.
Companies like ZL and XHXC have also shown their characteristics and advantages in the PEEK materials field, warranting further attention and research from investors. Their efforts in technological research and development, market expansion, and industry chain integration will help promote the rapid development of the entire PEEK materials industry.
For the robotics industry, technological breakthroughs and innovations are the core driving forces for its development, but it also faces challenges in terms of technological maturity, market acceptance, cost control, and supply chain management. Companies need to continuously enhance their capabilities in technological research and development, product quality, market expansion, and cost control to adapt to market demands and competitive changes.
The application prospects of PEEK materials are broad, but their cost and patent issues remain key factors restricting their large-scale application. When focusing on companies related to PEEK materials, we should pay special attention to their technological strength, patent layout, production processes, and market expansion capabilities to assess their advantages and potential in market competition.