The underlying logic of global technology investment is undergoing a profound paradigm shift as large language models and generative AI technology advance. If the previous phase focused on "who is building the AI infrastructure," the core theme of the next stage has fully shifted to "who can deeply empower vertical industries with AI." Building foundational models is a capital-intensive game for a select few tech giants, while truly embedding intelligent technology into vertical economic operations is an era-defining imperative for all industry leaders.

At this critical juncture of transitioning from "Industry 4.0" to "Industry 5.0," which emphasizes human-machine collaboration, green sustainability, and deep intelligent integration, companies that may seem to operate in traditional sectors but have accumulated core industrial infrastructure and scarce vertical industry expertise over history are becoming targets with significant revaluation potential.

**GLOBAL NEW MAT (06616.HK)**

As a globally leading surface performance materials platform, GLOBAL NEW MAT is clearly demonstrating how a specialty effect pigments giant with over six decades of experience can deeply adapt to and master the AI era. This follows the company's strategic integration of its German subsidiary, SUSONITY, leveraging a global industrial footprint spanning China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, and implementing robust digital architecture and process intelligence practices.

**Unlocking a 'Digital Mine': 150,000 Datasets and the Foundational Logic of New Materials**

Within the narrative framework of Industry 5.0, an AI system lacking high-precision training data from vertical industries is merely a castle in the air. The research, development, and manufacturing of surface performance materials and effect pigments are, at their core, a highly technical, precision physico-chemical process with significant barriers to entry and a heavy reliance on empirical parameters.

Since 1959, SUSONITY has amassed over 60 years of technological expertise in the global high-end effect pigments field. Whether it's the classic IRIODIN® pearlescent pigment series or the XIRALLIC® and next-generation XIRALLIC® NXT interference pigment series known for their high color saturation and LIVING SPARKLE dynamic shimmer, their foundation lies in extremely precise nanoscale multilayer inorganic structure control and patented substrate technology. The optical effects of light refraction, reflection, and interference within these multilayer media translate into completely different weatherability, chemical stability, and absorbance physical characteristics on various industrial substrates like automotive coatings, consumer electronics, and industrial plastics.

This more than half-century accumulation of process expertise has been comprehensively transformed into systematic digital assets during GLOBAL NEW MAT's intelligent platform upgrade. By integrating over 150,000 core experimental datasets, more than 8,000 crystal structure maps, and full production line quality inspection records accumulated over a decade, the group has built a leading professional database for pearlescent materials. Building on this, and leveraging mainstream deep learning frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow alongside advanced open-source language model analysis capabilities, the company has successfully deployed a proprietary AI application system for the high-performance materials vertical.

This system can perform complex material thermodynamic calculations and predict optical process parameters. Processes that previously required months and thousands of iterative formulation trials, such as microscopic encapsulation and color simulation, can now achieve millisecond-level response and parameter inference through the vertical AI engine. This capability to digitize and model historical expertise constitutes an absolute industrial moat that emerging tech companies cannot easily cross.

**South Korea's 'Lighthouse Factory' and Industry 5.0 Practice: From Experience-Driven to Dynamic Incremental Learning**

On the manufacturing front, GLOBAL NEW MAT's advanced pearlescent pigments specialist in South Korea, CQV Co., Ltd., has implemented this intelligent transformation into a global manufacturing benchmark. By establishing a K-Smart Lighthouse Factory, CQV's smart factory level has successfully jumped from Intermediate 1 (Level 2) to Intermediate 2 (Level 4).

Under this highly integrated intelligent production system, efficiency has significantly improved. Real-time data interaction and response across the entire supply chain and production lines have reduced manufacturing lead time by 25%. A dynamic incremental learning mechanism has been established: relying on a locally deployed distributed GPU cluster, the factory updates over 3,000 sets of production line measurement data monthly. The AI models not only provide predictions in the lab but also enable real-time adjustments and lean management during every feeding, drying, and calcination process on the production line. This ensures highly consistent industrial-grade Delta E tolerance control and CCM (Color Correction Matrix) data across multinational mass production and multiple batches of heterogeneous substrate surface coatings.

This closed-loop model of directly embedding AI into high-precision industrial hardware, DCS (Distributed Control Systems), and material simulation platforms exemplifies the deep empowerment of physical industry by intelligent technology advocated by Industry 5.0.

Through endogenous high-barrier R&D and global external M&A, GLOBAL NEW MAT has evolved beyond a traditional raw material supplier. It is now an advanced surface performance materials platform with comprehensive coverage across high, mid, and low-end segments, possessing scarce industry expertise and a global manufacturing network.