1. China's Annual Production of Iron-based Amorphous Alloy Strips Approaching 180,000 Tons
The rapid development of computing power and large language models both domestically and internationally, coupled with the internal driving force of "dual carbon" goals, has led to a continuous growth in the demand for iron-based amorphous transformers from power grids. The proportion of 3D wound core amorphous transformers in State Grid Corporation of China's procurement has increased rapidly. In addition to maintaining growing demand for planar core amorphous transformers, China Southern Power Grid will also begin procurement of 3D wound amorphous transformers. Overseas markets favor amorphous transformers for grid renovations. The growing demand from AI large models, data centers, rail transit, and new energy sources, combined with the power industry's focus on energy conservation and emission reduction through new amorphous alloy materials, are multiple factors helping Chinese iron-based amorphous alloy enterprises increase production. In 2025, China's production of iron-based amorphous alloy strips will approach 180,000 tons.
2. Demand for Amorphous (Nanocrystalline) Alloy Powder Approaching 15,000 Tons
Currently, the development of magnetic components is riding the fast track of third-generation semiconductor materials, with huge demand for integrated inductors and chip inductors. Amorphous (nanocrystalline) powder has encountered unprecedented opportunities in these inductor applications, with market demand showing significant monthly growth since May of last year. The demand for amorphous (nanocrystalline) soft magnetic powder in China is expected to approach 15,000 tons in 2025, with improvements in product quality. The implementation of national standards for amorphous soft magnetic powder will lay a solid foundation for promoting the high-quality development of amorphous (nanocrystalline) powder.
3. Large-scale Application of Amorphous Drive Motors in New Energy Vehicles
This year, amorphous alloy drive motors will achieve large-scale application in new energy vehicles from companies such as GAC AION, making the advantages of amorphous motors a new technology focus in the new energy vehicle industry. More enterprises and manufacturers will focus on and participate in this field in 2025. Domestic enterprises and research institutions have again obtained national key research and development projects for amorphous motor materials and processing technologies. At the end of last year, the National Development and Reform Commission established the Low-Altitude Economy Department, creating promising prospects for the application of amorphous motors in flying cars, drones, and other fields. The popularity of amorphous motors has led more enterprises to research motor-specific amorphous strips and processing technologies.
4. New Technologies, Applications, and Markets for Amorphous Alloy Coatings
The advantages of amorphous alloy thermal spray coatings in power, shipping, petroleum, and chemical industries continue to demonstrate spillover effects, with increasing market recognition. New cold spray technologies for amorphous alloys and multidisciplinary integration have garnered attention in aerospace, semiconductor, and military applications. Foreign market developments and leading technologies have generated research and application promotion interest in China. Training in amorphous alloy coating processes has received attention, with application sectors focusing on developing skilled personnel while studying the technology, laying a solid foundation for high-quality industrial development. Breakthroughs in amorphous alloy coating standards are expected.
5. Mass Production of Amorphous Alloy Wire with High-quality Wire in Short Supply
In recent years, domestic enterprises and research institutes have purchased over 80 sets of amorphous alloy wire production equipment, with an annual production capacity exceeding 10 million meters for various cobalt-based amorphous alloy wires. There is significant market potential in weak magnetic, torque, and orientation sensors, medical probes, robotics, sports and fitness equipment, military applications, and aerospace. China's amorphous alloy wire faces structural shortages: low-end wire is produced in large quantities but has narrow application in the sensor field with low prices and small procurement volumes, while high-quality wire is scarce, expensive, and difficult to obtain. The implementation of national standards for amorphous alloy wire will promote quality improvement.
6. Number of Nanocrystalline Enterprises Reduced from 300 to 80
This year, demand for new technologies and applications such as magnetic integration in the electronic component field will stimulate more new markets in China. With the overlap of new products and traditional markets, annual production is expected to exceed 40,000 tons. Large equipment producing highly stable nanocrystalline alloy strips has market competitiveness, accelerating the survival of the fittest. The number of enterprises will decrease from nearly 400 at the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan to less than 80 by the end of the plan this year. Small-scale enterprises without technology or supply chain connections will struggle to survive, while mergers, restructuring, integration, and transformation will accelerate. In 2025, China's nanocrystalline alloy enterprises will accelerate "three exits": small-volume enterprises will "exit" from competition; competitive enterprises will focus on "exporting" to overseas markets; and Southeast Asia will gather many Chinese nanocrystalline enterprises "going overseas."
7. Standards for Amorphous (Nanocrystalline) Alloys Leading Development at an Accelerated Pace
Standard-led high-quality development of the amorphous alloy industry has entered a new stage. The Amorphous Alloy Materials Application Branch of the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association will lead the organization of the continuous improvement of the amorphous (nanocrystalline) alloy standard system. The pace of national, industry, and group standard construction involving enterprises and research institutions will accelerate, with solid and effective standard implementation laying a solid foundation for high-quality development of the upstream and downstream amorphous (nanocrystalline) alloy industry chain. This year, more than 10 various types and levels of amorphous alloy standards are expected to be developed.
8. "China Amorphous" Brand Making Its Mark in Overseas Power Electronics Markets
In recent years, iron-based amorphous alloys have expanded from traditional markets in South Asia and Southeast Asia to new markets in the Americas, Europe, and even Africa. The global annual market demand for iron-based amorphous alloys will exceed 250,000 tons, with China exporting nearly 100,000 tons. Chinese iron-based amorphous alloy manufacturers have begun to establish overseas production facilities. Based on overseas demand information received by the Amorphous Alloy Branch, the expansion of nanocrystalline alloy enterprises overseas remains a hot topic, with 30% of reduced domestic production lines flowing to Southeast Asia, Korea, and other regions. Amorphous alloys exported from China and those produced by Chinese manufacturers have high recognition overseas, establishing the "China Amorphous" brand.
9. Continued Research Interest in Amorphous Alloy Materials for Space Applications
This year, topics related to amorphous alloy research and space experiments will continue to increase, generating more hot topics. As scientists at home and abroad continue to advance research on the application and basic properties of amorphous alloy materials in space, new discoveries and achievements in space experiments will emerge continuously. Amorphous alloys are expected to become useful materials for future moon, Mars, and space station applications. Topics such as space 3D printing with amorphous alloys, amorphous alloy reflective mirrors, and amorphous alloy solid lubricating gears are worthy of attention.