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Tongwei Co., Ltd. In-Depth Analysis Report: Survival and Breakthrough in the Industry Winter

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January 18, 2026

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Based on the above data analysis, I will provide you with an

in-depth analysis report on Tongwei Co., Ltd. against the backdrop of overcapacity in the photovoltaic industry
.


Tongwei Co., Ltd. (600438.SS) In-Depth Analysis Report: Survival and Breakthrough in the Industry Winter
I. Industry Background: The Photovoltaic Industry Faces Structural Dilemmas
1.1 Severe Situation of Overcapacity

China’s photovoltaic industry is experiencing the most severe overcapacity cycle in its history. According to a S&P Global Ratings research report, the total capacity of the polysilicon industry exceeded 3 million tonnes in 2024, while actual output was only about 1.8 million tonnes, with a capacity utilization rate of less than 60%[4]. Severe oversupply has emerged in all links of the industrial chain:

Segment Capacity Utilization Rate (2024) Price Performance
Polysilicon ~60% Fell from RMB 59,000/tonne at the start of the year to RMB 39,000/tonne, a drop of over 35%
Silicon Wafer ~55% Under sustained pressure, below cash cost
Solar Cell ~65% (relatively better) Fierce price war
Module ~50% Low-price competition has become the norm
1.2 Polysilicon Price Trend and Industry Cycle

Polysilicon prices have experienced a volatile rollercoaster trend:

  • 2022 Peak Period
    : Prices exceeded RMB 300,000/tonne, with the industry enjoying excessive profits
  • Second Half of 2023
    : Capacity was released in a concentrated manner, and prices began to decline
  • June 2024
    : Prices fell to RMB 39,000/tonne, breaking the industry-wide cash cost
  • Second Half of 2024
    : Industry self-discipline production cuts pushed prices back up to RMB 50,000-60,000/tonne
  • December 2025
    : Prices were approximately RMB 53,200/tonne, an increase of over 50% from the mid-year low[2]

However, the antitrust interview conducted by the State Administration for Market Regulation in early January 2026 broke this fragile price balance. The interview explicitly prohibited enterprises from agreeing on production capacity, production and sales volume, and sales prices, directly negating the previous core operating model of “production control to support prices”[5]. This means that the profit model of relying on coordinated production cuts to maintain high prices is no longer sustainable.


II. Diagnosis of Tongwei Co., Ltd.'s Financial Status
2.1 Current Status of Performance Losses

Tongwei Co., Ltd. expects a full-year net loss of

RMB 9-10 billion
in 2025, mainly affected by the following factors[0][2]:

Influencing Factor Specific Performance
Product price decline Polysilicon prices broke through the cost line
Decline in operating rate Insufficient capacity utilization, making it difficult to amortize fixed costs
Inventory impairment Inventory scale reached RMB 15.373 billion, a year-on-year increase of 25.2%
Inventory write-down losses Large provisions in 2024 severely eroded profits

Historical Performance Trajectory
:

  • 2022: Performance peak, net profit of RMB 25.7 billion (benefiting from high polysilicon prices)
  • 2023: Performance declined sharply, and losses began
  • 2024: Sustained losses, stock price hit a new low in recent years
  • 2025: Expected loss of RMB 9-10 billion
2.2 Analysis of Key Financial Indicators
Indicator Value Industry Evaluation
P/E -10.57x Loss-making status
ROE -18.28% Under severe pressure
Net Profit Margin -9.44% Negative profit
Current Ratio 1.24 Average short-term solvency
Asset-Liability Ratio ~57% Moderately high

Cash Flow Status
:

  • Free Cash Flow: -RMB 27.24 billion (2024)
  • Operating Cash Flow: The polysilicon business turned positive in the third quarter
  • Inventory Turnover Efficiency: Continued to deteriorate, inventory impairment risk increased[5]
2.3 Stock Price Performance

通威股份K线图

  • Current Price
    : RMB 20.02 (January 16, 2026)
  • 52-Week Performance
    : New low in the past six months
  • 3-Year Decline
    : 51.05%
  • Technical Aspects
    : In a sideways oscillation pattern, the KDJ indicator shows oversold conditions[0]

III. Analysis of Tongwei Co., Ltd.'s Competitive Advantages
3.1 Capacity Scale Advantage: Global No.1

Tongwei Co., Ltd. has a significant scale advantage in the polysilicon sector:

Indicator Tongwei Co., Ltd. Industry Status
Polysilicon Capacity
900,000 tonnes
(end of 2024)
Global No.1
Planned Total Capacity Over 1.3 million tonnes Continuous expansion
Solar Cell Capacity 95GW
Global No.1
(for 7 consecutive years)
Module Capacity 80GW Top 5 globally
Global Market Share ~30% No.1 in the polysilicon sector

image

3.2 Cost Control Capability: Industry Leader

Polysilicon production cost is approximately RMB 40,000 per tonne
, giving it a strong competitive advantage among domestic leading enterprises[4]:

Cost Component Proportion Tongwei’s Advantage
Raw Materials ~45% Strong bargaining power from large-scale procurement
Energy ~25% Hydropower advantage in the southwest region
Labor ~12% High degree of automation
Manufacturing Expenses (including depreciation) ~18% Amortized through scale effects

Cost Competitiveness Evaluation
:

  • Tongwei Co., Ltd.'s costs are in the industry’s first echelon
  • Obvious advantage compared to some small and medium-sized enterprises (costs of approximately RMB 60,000-80,000/tonne)
  • When the industry is generally loss-making, Tongwei is expected to be the last loss-making survivor
3.3 Technological Innovation Layout

Tongwei Co., Ltd. continues to invest in technological upgrading[4]:

Technological Direction Progress Expected Effect
TNC Cells Capacity exceeds 100GW Cost reduction by another 20%
HJT Cells First cell rolled off the production line Efficiency improvement
TOPCon Pilot line in operation Coverage of mainstream technologies
XBC/Perovskite R&D layout Future technological reserve
0BB/Copper Interconnection Key R&D focus Cost reduction and efficiency improvement
3.4 Integrated Strategic Layout

Tongwei has developed from a single polysilicon business to an integrated layout of “Polysilicon + Cells + Modules”:

Polysilicon (900,000 tonnes) → Solar Cells (95GW) → Modules (80GW)
     ↓                    ↓
  High self-supply ratio  Overseas market expansion

Integrated Advantages
:

  • Self-supplied polysilicon for cells reduces procurement costs
  • The module business is growing rapidly, with shipment volume entering the top 5 globally
  • Overseas Markets: Added key markets such as South Africa and the UAE, and secured large overseas orders[4]

IV. Risk Factors and Challenges
4.1 Uncertainties Brought by Antitrust Interview

On January 6, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation interviewed six polysilicon enterprises including Tongwei Co., Ltd., explicitly prohibiting the “production control to support prices” behavior[5]:

Direct Impacts
:

  • The main polysilicon futures contract fell sharply after the interview
  • Tongwei Co., Ltd.'s stock price was under short-term pressure
  • The industry’s coordinated production cut and price support model has ended

Potential Consequences
:

  • If production cuts are terminated, prices may return to a downward trend
  • The risk of enterprises competing to cut prices for shipments increases
  • The price decline trend in the first half of last year may recur
4.2 Debt Pressure and Cash Flow Risks
Risk Point Specific Performance
Debt Scale Continued to rise in recent years
Short-Term Debt Repayment Current ratio of 1.24, quick ratio of 0.99
Inventory Pressure RMB 15.373 billion in inventory, high price decline risk
Financing Environment Industry valuation is under pressure, financing difficulty increases
4.3 Changes in Export Policies
  • Export Tax Rebate Rate Cut
    : Starting from December 1, 2024, the export tax rebate rate for silicon wafers, cells, and modules was reduced from 13% to 9%
  • VAT Rebate Cancellation
    : The export tax rebate for photovoltaic and other products will be fully canceled starting from April 1, 2026[5]
  • Overseas Market Uncertainties
    : Whether demand in incremental markets such as the Middle East and Australia can be sustained

V. Response Strategies and Future Outlook
5.1 Short-Term Response Strategies
Strategy Specific Measures Expected Effect
Capacity Optimization Proactive production cuts and control Reduce inventory backlog
Cost Control Continuous cost reduction and efficiency improvement Improve profitability
Inventory Management Optimize inventory structure Reduce impairment risk
Cash Management Strengthen collection Ensure liquidity
5.2 Medium- to Long-Term Strategies
  1. Technological Upgrading-Driven
    :

    • Promote mass production of high-efficiency cells such as TNC and HJT
    • Lay out next-generation technologies such as perovskite
    • Maintain cost leadership through technological innovation
  2. Global Layout
    :

    • Expand overseas manufacturing bases
    • Diversify market risks
    • Seize emerging market opportunities
  3. Deepened Integration
    :

    • Improve industrial chain collaboration
    • Increase the proportion of the module business
    • Enhance terminal bargaining power
  4. Industry Integration Opportunities
    :

    • Focus on opportunities for small and medium-sized capacity clearing
    • Conduct mergers and acquisitions at the right time
    • Consolidate leading position
5.3 Industry Turning Point Prediction

According to forecasts from institutions such as S&P Global Ratings[4]:

Time Node Expected Changes
2025 The industry’s capacity clearing enters the later stage, and effective capacity utilization is expected to improve
2026 Supply and demand pattern is reshaped, prices and profits recover with fluctuations
2027 Backward capacity is basically cleared, and the industry returns to healthy competition

VI. Investment Value Evaluation
6.1 Valuation Level
Indicator Value Evaluation
P/E -10.57x Loss-making status, no practical significance
P/B 2.02x In the historical low range
P/S 1.00x Market capitalization supported by revenue scale
6.2 Core Supporting Factors

Positive Factors
:

  • ✓ Global No.1 in capacity scale, strong risk resistance during industry troughs
  • ✓ Leading cost control, expected to be the last loss-making enterprise in the industry
  • ✓ Cash flow turned positive in Q3 2024, showing signs of operational improvement
  • ✓ Integrated layout smooths fluctuations in single segments
  • ✓ Sufficient technological reserves, long-term competitiveness guaranteed

Risk Factors
:

  • ✗ Inventory scale remains high, price decline risk persists
  • ✗ Antitrust interview broke the “production control to support prices” profit model
  • ✗ The timing of the industry cycle reversal is unclear
  • ✗ Debt pressure tests financing capabilities
6.3 Comprehensive Judgment

As the

dual leader in polysilicon and solar cells
in the photovoltaic industry, Tongwei Co., Ltd. has the following core survival capabilities in the current industry winter:

  1. Scale Advantage
    : 900,000 tonnes of polysilicon capacity, global No.1, obvious unit cost advantage
  2. Cost Leadership
    : Production cost of approximately RMB 40,000 per tonne, in the industry’s first echelon
  3. Market Share
    : ~30% market share in polysilicon, global No.1 in solar cells for 7 consecutive years
  4. Technological Reserves
    : Perfect layout of new-generation technologies such as TNC and HJT
  5. Integrated Collaboration
    : Full industrial chain layout of polysilicon - cells - modules

Risk Warning
: Progress of industry capacity clearing, recovery of downstream demand, impact of antitrust policies, inventory impairment risk.


VII. Conclusion

The photovoltaic industry is in the stage of switching valuation systems from growth to cyclical. As an industry leader, Tongwei Co., Ltd. is undergoing severe tests. The company’s expected net loss of RMB 9-10 billion in 2025 reflects the structural dilemma faced by the entire industry[0][2].

Core Competitiveness Remains Solid
:

  • Cost control capability is at the leading level in the industry
  • Scale advantage brings a significant moat
  • Integrated strategy enhances risk resistance

Whether it can survive the industry trough
depends on:

  1. Progress of Industry Capacity Clearing
    : The supply and demand pattern is expected to gradually improve in 2026
  2. Sustainability of Cost Advantage
    : Whether technological innovation can maintain leadership
  3. Cash Flow Management Capability
    : Maintaining liquidity during the loss-making period
  4. Changes in Policy Environment
    : Compliant operation after the antitrust interview

For investors, the current period is at the bottom of the industry cycle, with

both risks and opportunities coexisting
. It is recommended to pay close attention to the progress of industry capacity clearing, the company’s cost control effects, and the recovery of downstream demand. During the most difficult period for the industry, Tongwei Co., Ltd. is expected to be the final survivor and benefit first when the industry recovers, relying on its scale advantages and cost control capabilities.


References

[0] Jinling API Data - Tongwei Co., Ltd. Company Profile, Financial Analysis, Stock Price Data
[1] NetEase News - “Photovoltaic Industry’s Pre-Loss Alarm Sounds Loudly, These Leaders Are Set to Post Losses for Two Consecutive Years”
[2] China Energy Network - Analysis of 2025 Performance Pre-Loss of Photovoltaic Leading Enterprises
[3] Debon Research Institute - In-Depth Research Report on Tongwei Co., Ltd.
[4] S&P Global Ratings - “In-Depth Adjustment Under Photovoltaic ‘Anti-Involution’, Who Can Survive the Winter?”
[5] The Paper - “Antitrust Interview Halts Polysilicon ‘Production Control to Support Prices’, Tongwei Co., Ltd. Which Has Posted Losses for Eight Consecutive Quarters Faces Even Greater Difficulties”
[6] Huaan Securities - In-Depth Research Report on Tongwei Co., Ltd.
[7] China Development Bank Securities - In-Depth Report on Tongwei Co., Ltd.'s “Cost Is King, Proactive Layout of Photovoltaic Integration”

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Insights are generated using AI models and historical data for informational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice or recommendations. Past performance is not indicative of future results.