01 Core Items Under Control - Tellurium and Its Key Compounds

Among the controlled items listed, tellurium-related entries have drawn significant attention from the photovoltaic industry, primarily falling into three categories:

• Metallic tellurium (Refer to Customs HS code: 2804500001)

• Single or polycrystalline products (including substrates or epitaxial wafers) of any of the following tellurium compounds:

  • Cadmium telluride (Refer to Customs HS codes: 2842902000, 3818009021)

  • Cadmium zinc telluride (Refer to Customs HS codes: 2842909025, 3818009021)

  • Mercury cadmium telluride (Refer to Customs HS codes: 2852100010, 3818009021)

• Technologies and data used for producing the aforementioned items (including process specifications, process parameters, processing procedures, etc.)

02 Important Clarification - Finished End-Products Are Not Covered

It is noteworthy that, according to official interpretation, finished applied products such as cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaic modules and photovoltaic glass are not included in the control list. The controls primarily target basic raw materials and core intermediate products, reflecting the policy's targeted and precise nature.

03 Navigating Supply Chain Shifts and Solidifying Domestic Technological Advantages

Under the new export control policy, ensuring the supply of core raw materials and technological innovation has become even more critical. With its extensive experience in the cadmium telluride thin-film solar sector, ZM Solar Technology has established a robust supply chain framework spanning from materials to modules.

■ Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Thin-Film Photovoltaic Modules

The cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaic modules we offer possess the following core advantages, enabling them to meet market challenges head-on:

Excellent Low-Light Performance: They maintain high power output even under insufficient lighting conditions such as early morning, evening, and cloudy days, enhancing the overall power generation efficiency and energy return of the system.

Strong Temperature Adaptability: Exhibiting minimal performance degradation in high-temperature environments, they are particularly suitable for large-scale power plants and applications in high-temperature regions, ensuring stable returns throughout the power plant's entire lifecycle.

True Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Solutions: The modules feature adjustable transparency, diverse colors, and are lightweight and flexible, allowing them to perfectly replace traditional building curtain wall materials. This creates green electricity while enhancing architectural aesthetic value.

04 Multiple Considerations for Export Controls

Safeguarding National Security: Tellurium and its compounds play an irreplaceable role in national defense sectors such as infrared detection, nuclear radiation detection, aerospace, and more. Under the current international situation, preventing critical strategic materials from flowing into improper channels has become a top priority.

Fulfilling International Obligations: China strictly fulfills its international non-proliferation obligations. Implementing export controls on specific items is a common international practice.

Ensuring Industrial Security: Tellurium is a scarce strategic resource. Moderate controls help safeguard the long-term development needs of domestic emerging industries.

It is crucial to emphasize that export control does not equate to a ban on exports. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce clearly stated that "applications complying with the regulations will be approved." Any export application intended for civilian use and compliant with regulations can receive approval.

05 Thin-Film Photovoltaics Face Supply Chain Adjustments

Significant Short-Term Impact: Cadmium telluride thin-film solar cell manufacturers worldwide will face pressures from tight raw material supply and rising costs. Enterprises reliant on tellurium material imports from China, in particular, need to urgently seek alternative supply sources.

Long-Term Structural Reshaping: These controls will accelerate the global exploration and development of tellurium resources, drive innovation in recycling technologies, and promote diversification in the supply chain layout.

The latest export controls represent a necessary step for China to optimize resource allocation and safeguard national security, and they will also prompt the global new energy industry to place greater emphasis on supply chain security and technological innovation.

These controls present not only challenges but also a significant opportunity for China's new energy sector to enhance its core competitiveness. ZOOM Solar Technology will remain committed to innovation, driving high-quality development in green building and working with all parties to collectively shape the future of energy transition.