Sooooo it's time for another portfolio update.

Over the last few years, I have noticed that my long therm target of 20% pa is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve as the size of my portfolio increases, because more and more money is flowing into "safe" ETFs. Nevertheless, with my top picks 2025 $RKLB (+13,89 %)
$KSB (+4,29 %)
$NU (+4,41 %) and $GOOGL (-1,59 %) very satisfied. However, all 4 are at ATH or just below, which could make things a bit volatile in the short term. Nevertheless, I assume that all 4 will be higher at the end of the year than they are now.

My aim this year is to increase my exposure to small/mid caps. I already made a start last year, $KSB (+4,29 %) has already done quite well, stocks like $P4O (+0,1 %)
$GFT (-0,89 %)
$SBMO (+2,08 %) and $OSIS (+4,55 %) are to be held, but no major additional purchases are planned there for the time being.

The downward positions in Samsung are all part of my 212 trading pies, divided into 3 different pies. Since mid-August, the pies have gained 21.6%. Meanwhile the total value of my 212 investments is 9600€. These are saved monthly with a total of €500 plus one-off payments from time to time.

Apart from that, there are only 2 three-month savings plans with 1.5k each on the $VWRL (+1,8 %) and $TDIV (+1,56 %)

In addition, there are still around 60k in various orders, but these are all turnaround bets with short-term targets of between 8% and 12%

In the long term, I will keep my eyes and ears open to find new pearls.

Good morning, dear getquin community.

I've been looking closely at the CSP hybrid ecosystem from China recently and listened to an interesting article by futurologist Lars Thomsen. Today I would like to tell you why I think this system is one of the most exciting energy projects of the coming years. I don't want to withhold the results of this research from you.

Before we get into the topic, a quick word about the last post.

Thank you for your strong interaction, support, likes and participation. It was good to see that so many of you sent a clear signal to getquin to finally get things moving. It was just as nice to see that it @Tenbagger2024 motivated you to carry on and give new impetus. It's moments like this that keep the community together.

Speaking of momentum.

Today I'm giving you a new one. Because what is currently being built in China is more than just an energy project. It is a blueprint for an infrastructure that, in my eyes, puts coal and nuclear power plants in the shade.

Before we start, a quick note. I already wrote a first post on this topic. I'm now building on this, but in a much more comprehensive, clearly structured way and with more details so that the connections are easier for you to grasp.

I also @SAUgut777 had already addressed the topic back then, so I would like to mention him here as well. I'm including the link to my earlier article, China is reshaping the sun and Energy 4.0 Part 1. https://getqu.in/OIMCfh/
https://getqu.in/G4f1Tk/

The global energy transition will not be won by individual technologies but by integrative systems that must fulfill two decisive factors: Scalability and base load capability . What we are currently seeing in China is the construction of the most modern energy infrastructure that radically solves the decades-old problem of solar and wind volatility. Not with wind turbines and solar panels alone, but with a system that supplies base load, integrates storage and enables scaling. The centerpiece is the CSP Hybrid Ecosystemin which solar thermal energy, photovoltaics and gigantic battery storage units are combined to create a continuous 24/7 power source power source.

Technically explained: The new paradigm is the CSP hybrid ecosystem. It combines the rapidly erected photovoltaic (PV) fields with the thermal storage of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants and complements both with massive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This intelligent coupling provides stable electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and makes the system a direct and superior competitor to coal and nuclear power.

How the system works

1. mirrors collect sunlight

The surface at the bottom left consists of many movable mirrors (heliostats, point 1).

They are constantly aligned with the sun and focus the light onto the top of the tower (reflected sunlight, point 2).

2. the tower heats a heat medium

The solar oven (3) is located at the top of the tower.

There, the concentrated light hits a system of pipes through which a heat-conducting fluid runs (typically molten salts or oil).

This fluid becomes extremely hot, often several hundred degrees (4).

3. heat is converted into vapor

At the bottom of the building, the hot fluid transfers its energy to water in the steam generator (6), turning it into steam under high pressure (7). Pumps (5) keep the cycle going: hot fluid → cooled fluid → back up into the tower.

4. turbine and generator produce electricity

The pressurized steam drives a turbine (8). The turbine is connected to a generator (10), which converts the mechanical energy into electricity.

5. steam is liquefied again

The steam then enters the condenser (9), cools down and becomes water again. Then it goes back into the steam generator.

6. feed into the power grid

The electricity is brought to a higher voltage via a transformer (11) and fed into the grid via the high-voltage lines (12).

The gigawatt comparison and the true added value. A modern nuclear power plant constantly supplies around 1 GW to 1.6 GW of power. This output is continuous but extremely expensive, inflexible and ties up capital for over a decade. A CSP hybrid park in the Chinese desert can achieve a peak output of 5 GW. However, the real added value is the guaranteed base load capacity of 1 GW to 3 GW that can be called up 24/7 thanks to integrated thermal storage and batteries. This intelligent coupling provides stable electricity and makes the plant a direct and superior competitor to coal and nuclear power. This is the disruptive difference: the new generation delivers the same necessary base load but with much higher capital efficiency and 10 years shorter construction time. This makes nuclear power plants an outdated investment model.

The economic key lies in China Speed. It takes ten to 15 years for a nuclear power plant to produce any electricity at all. The Chinese mega bases reach base load capability in 18 to 24 months. This rapid time to market reduces capital costs and raises profitability to a level that is unattainable for traditional power generation.

🌍 Globalization of the Sun Belt: 8 investment pillars

China is exporting the hybrid model to the entire global sunbelt. MENA, North Africa, South America, Australia and Central Asia are among the new core markets. The pipeline is growing every year. The investment opportunities lie in the 8 fundamental pillars that make this infrastructure possible:

1. optics and mirror technology - These companies provide the optical basis for every CSP park

Big players

$SGO (+2,26 %) Saint-Gobain (EPA: SGO) - France - World leader in specialty glass and high-tech materials. Supplies glass solutions and coatings for heliostats and CSP mirror systems.

Schott AG - Germany, private - Specialty glass and receiver tubes for many of the existing CSP plants. Key role in collector efficiency and lifetime.

Hidden champions

Rioglass Solar - Spain, private - Market leader for curved mirrors and receiver components especially for CSP parks. Strong in projects in Spain, MENA and Latin America.

Flabeg FE - Germany, private - High-precision mirrors for solar thermal energy. Supplies optics that directly determine the efficiency of power plants.

$000012 CSG Holding - China, Shenzhen - Large Chinese glass manufacturer with a growing focus on solar and CSP glass products.

2. storage chemistry and thermal media - They supply the chemical storage media for molten salt storage and heat transfer

Big player

$NTR (+0 %) Nutrien (NYSE: NTR / TSX: NTR) - Canada - One of the largest fertilizer and nitrate suppliers in the world. Supplies nitrates for thermal storage and molten salt mixtures.

$YAR (+2,71 %) Yara International (OSE: YAR) - Norway - Global fertilizer company. Produces nitrates and nitrogen chemicals that can be used in molten salt storage facilities.

$OCI (+4,94 %) OCI N.V. (AMS: OCI) - Netherlands - Produces hydrogen and natural gas-based products, including nitrogen chemicals for thermal storage solutions.

Hidden Champions

$SQM (+0,67 %) Sociedad Química y Minera (NYSE: SQM) - Chile - Lithium and specialty chemicals producer. Supplies lithium and nitrate salts for battery and thermal storage.

$MIN (-1,06 %) Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) - Australia - Combines lithium mining and processing. Important for lithium-based storage chains.

$SOLB (-0,45 %) Solvay (EBR: SOLB) - Belgium - Specialty chemicals and heat transfer fluids, relevant for CSP and storage applications.

3. battery and energy storage systems (BESS) - The combination of BESS and thermal storage is the real 24/7 engine of CSP parks

Big player

$3750 (+0 %) CATL - China - World market leader for EV batteries and large-scale storage. Supplies complete BESS systems for grids and CSP hybrid parks.

$1211 (+4,25 %) BYD Co Ltd - China - Integrated battery and system provider. Provides energy storage systems for industrial and utility-scale applications.

$373220 LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) - South Korea - Global cell supplier with a strong focus on high-performance cells for e-mobility and stationary storage.

$SMSN (+4,59 %) Samsung SDI (KRX: 006400) - South Korea - Premium cells and modular storage solutions for grid and industrial applications.

Hidden Champions

$FLNC (+5,59 %) Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC) - USA - Joint venture between Siemens Energy and AES. Market leader in turnkey large-scale storage projects and operating software.

Powin Energy - USA, private - System integrator for utility-scale storage with a strong presence in North America and Asia.

$300274 Sungrow Power Supply (SZSE: 300274) - China - Well-known for inverters, growing strongly in the area of integrated BESS solutions for large-scale projects.

4. HVDC, cables and power transmission - HVDC turns desert power into exportable base load power

Big player

$HTHIY (+5,36 %) Hitachi Energy - Switzerland / Japan, part of the Hitachi Group $HTHIY - World leader in HVDC converters, substations and grid control.

$PRY (+3,25 %) Prysmian (BIT: PRY) - Italy - Largest manufacturer of high-voltage cables and submarine cables, central role in European HVDC projects.

$NEX (+3,02 %) Nexans (EPA: NEX) - France - Specialized in power and submarine cables, important for long-distance transmission of desert electricity to Europe.

$ABBN (+1,04 %) ABB (SWX: ABBN) - Switzerland - HVDC converters, switchgear and grid automation for large-scale projects.

Hidden Champions

$NKT (+1,95 %) NKT A/S (CPH: NKT) - Denmark - Cable specialist with a focus on high-voltage and offshore wind connections.

Taihan - South Korea, private - Major Asian manufacturer of high-voltage cables with a growing export share.

$ANA (+2,6 %) Acciona (BME: ANA) - Spain - Not only EPC, but also active in grid connections and infrastructure for large-scale renewable projects.

5. hydrogen and Power-to-X - Surplus electricity from hybrid parks is processed into green hydrogen

Big player

$LIN (-3,69 %) Linde plc (NASDAQ: LIN) - Ireland / global - The world's largest industrial gases group. Plans, builds and operates large-scale electrolysis and liquefaction plants for green hydrogen.

$NCH2 (-0,03 %) thyssenkrupp nucera (XETRA: NCH2) - Germany - Specialist for multi-gigawatt scale alkaline electrolyzers, key supplier for industrial H2 projects.

$NEL (+2,78 %) Nel ASA (OSE: NEL) - Norway - Pure hydrogen player with focus on electrolyzers and H2 tank infrastructure.

Hidden Champions

$PLUG (+10,41 %) Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) - USA - PEM electrolysis, fuel cells and H2 infrastructure, increasingly involved in large-scale projects.

$BE (-5,19 %) Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) - USA - Develops higher efficiency solid oxide electrolyzers for industrial H2 generation.

$ITM (+1,8 %) ITM Power (LSE: ITM) - United Kingdom - Focused on utility-scale PEM electrolysis, strong in European project business.

$HPUR (+2,53 %) Hexagon Purus (OSL: HPUR) - Norway - Specialist in high-pressure tanks and transportation solutions for compressed hydrogen.

6. EPC, engineering and construction - These companies enable construction in less than two years

Big players

$601669 Power Construction Corporation of China (SSE: 601669) - China - One of the largest engineering and construction groups in the world. Builds dams, large-scale PV and CSP plants, including grid connection.

$601727 Shanghai Electric Group (SSE: 601727) - China - Full-service provider for CSP, turbines, storage integration and EPC services.

$ANA (+2,6 %) Acciona (BME: ANA) - Spain - Global EPC player for solar, wind and CSP, strong in MENA and Latin America.

Hidden champions

SEPCO III - China, private - Highly specialized EPC for large power plants and CSP projects, often partner in Saudi Arabia and North Africa.

$WOR (+0,65 %) Worley Limited (ASX: WOR) - Australia - Engineering and project services provider for energy infrastructure, including hybrid and storage projects.

$3996 (+2,03 %) China Energy Engineering Corp (HKEX: 3996) - China - Large state-owned EPC group, active in the development of solar and grid projects in Asia, Africa and MENA.

7. turbines and power plant technology - CSP Hybrid is ultimately based on modern thermal power technology, only climate neutral

Big player

$ENR (+3,66 %) Siemens Energy (XETRA: ENR) - Germany - Turbines, generators, switchgear and grid solutions. Core supplier for the thermal side of CSP hybrids.

$GE (+4,23 %) General Electric (NYSE: GE) - USA - Steam turbines and power plant technology used directly in hybrid farms and thermal storage systems.

Hidden champions

$1072 (-6,85 %) Dongfang Electric (HKEX: 1072) - China - Major turbine and power plant equipment supplier, strong in domestic market and MENA project.

$1133 (-0,95 %) Harbin Electric (HKEX: 1133) - China - Manufacturer of turbines, generators and power plant components, active in large-scale conventional and renewable power plants.

8. blade manufacturers and construction materials for CSP hybrid parks

8.1 Construction and mining equipment

Big Player

$CAT (+6,69 %) Caterpillar (USA, NYSE: CAT) - World's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, dozers, excavators, dump trucks, generators. Provides heavy equipment for earthmoving, foundation construction and park infrastructure.

$6301 (+1,13 %) Komatsu (Japan, TSE: 6301) - Number two worldwide in construction and mining equipment. Excavators, wheel loaders, large dump trucks and special machines used in desert projects and large construction sites.

$SAND (+1,53 %) Sandvik (Sweden, OMX: SAND) - Drilling technology, rock processing, wear parts. Important for foundation construction, cable routes and the raw materials side of the value chain.

$EPI A (+1,75 %) Epiroc (Sweden, OMX: EPI A) - Drilling rigs and underground equipment, wherever CSP infrastructure is built on difficult terrain.

Hidden champions

$6305 (+1,53 %) Hitachi Construction Machinery (Japan, TSE: 6305) - Strong presence in Asia and MENA, large excavators and wheel loaders for deserts and large construction sites.

$DE (+2,89 %) Wirtgen Group / John Deere $DE (USA) - Road construction, milling, compaction. Benefit from the expansion of access roads, platforms and logistics around CSP parks.

8.2 Steel, tubes and sections

Big player

$MT (+6,94 %) ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg, NYSE: MT) - Global steel group with flat and long products. Supplies beams, sections and structural steel for tower structures, racks and infrastructure.

$5401 (+8,25 %) Nippon Steel (Japan, TSE: 5401) - High-quality steel for energy and infrastructure applications, including heat-resistant steels.

$TEN (+1,81 %) Tenaris (Luxembourg/Argentina, NYSE: TS) - Leading manufacturer of seamless steel tubes for energy, pipelines and high-pressure systems. Relevant for heat exchanger circuits, media pipelines and infrastructure in the CSP environment.

$VK (+2,1 %) Vallourec (France, EPA: VK) - Specialty tubes and high-performance steels for energy projects, including high-temperature pipelines.

Hidden Champions

$5411 (+6,9 %) JFE Holdings (Japan, TSE: 5411) - steels and tubes for large-scale projects, with a focus on Asia.

$TUB (+0 %) Tubacex (Spain, BME: TUB) - Seamless stainless steel tubes for high temperature and corrosive environments, directly relevant for CSP heat and process piping.

$NXT Nextpower (USA) - Steel-intensive tracker systems for PV fields. Important in hybrid parks where PV and CSP are combined.

$ARRY (+6,61 %) Array Technologies (USA) - Similar to Nextracker, focus on utility-scale tracking systems.

8.3 Cement, concrete and construction chemicals

Big player

$HOLN (+4,34 %) Holcim (Switzerland, SIX: HOLN) - The world's leading supplier of cement and concrete. Supplies foundation concrete, specialty mortars and infrastructure construction materials for major projects, including desert locations.

$HEI (+2,51 %) Heidelberg Materials (Germany, Xetra: HEI) - Strong player in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Cement, concrete and aggregates for foundations, turbine houses, storage blocks.

$CX (+1,23 %) Cemex (Mexico, NYSE: CX) - Globally active in cement and concrete, supplier for infrastructure in MENA and the Americas.

$CRH (+3,99 %) CRH plc (Ireland, NYSE: CRH) - Building materials group with a focus on infrastructure, road construction and precast concrete products.

Hidden Champions

$ULTRACEMCO UltraTech Cement (India, NSE) - India's largest cement manufacturer, relevant for CSP projects in the subcontinent and neighboring regions.

Votorantim Cimentos (Brazil, private / regionally listed) - Strong supplier in Latin America with a direct link to infrastructure and energy projects.

8.4 Industrial components, heat exchangers and process equipment

Big player

$ALFA (+1,18 %) Alfa Laval (Sweden, OMX: ALFA) - Heat exchangers, pumps and separators. Key components for thermal storage, steam generation and process heat in CSP plants.

$FLS (+5,47 %) Flowserve (USA, NYSE: FLS) - Pumps, valves and sealing systems for high-temperature and high-pressure circuits in energy plants.

$SPX (+2,39 %) Spirax Group (UK, LSE: SPX) - Steam and condensate technology, control valves and heat exchange systems, important for the fine control of thermal circuits.

Hidden champions

$IMI (+2,8 %) IMI plc (UK, LSE: IMI) - Specialty valves and control technology for the energy and process industries, especially for demanding media.

$KSB (+4,29 %) KSB SE (Germany, Xetra) - Pumps and valves for the energy, water and process industries. Suitable for cooling water, heat transfer media and storage systems in CSP parks.

🎯 Conclusion and outlook

The CSP hybrid ecosystem eliminates the weaknesses of renewable energies and uses China Speed as an economic lever. This combination creates a capital efficiency that will overtake traditional energy generation in the long term. The investment opportunities range from the Asian battery giants to the European HVDC specialists.

The fundamental question is whether European regulators can adjust the speed of the approval process to allow the continent to keep up with the pace of the Sahara projects and the European EPC companies operating there, or whether the continent will be left behind in terms of energy self-sufficiency.

Takeaway

The real investment case lies in the efficiency superiority of the CSP hybrid system. The ability to provide gigawatts of base load within two years, coupled with thermal storage and BESS, makes this infrastructure one of the strongest energy models of the future. This benefits optics, chemistry, BESS, HVDC, hydrogen, EPC and turbine manufacturers.

Sources: own research + IEA, IRENA, NREL, Fraunhofer ISE, SolarPACES, World Bank, Ember Climate, company reports & technical documentation of the companies mentioned.

Image: https://videos.winfuture.de/27754.mp4

Getty Images, Illustrative image - JLStock / Shutterstock.com

$KSB (+4,29 %)

Increasing growth momentum

After being stuck in stagnation for some time, the company's growth has accelerated considerably in recent years. Several factors have contributed to this.

These include a strategic realignment and a stronger focus on non-European markets, which recorded strong growth. These markets have benefited from increasing demand for pumps and valves in sectors such as mining, energy and water management.

In addition, the efficiency program of recent years has borne astonishing fruit.

At the same time, the growth momentum in the SupremeServ division, which comprises the service and spare parts business, has increased significantly. In the last financial year, this area generated around one third of sales, but accounted for over 80 % of EBIT.

As the service business is characterized by recurring income and is now highly profitable, this has sustainably improved the quality of the company.

Focus on the preference share

In the first quarter of the current financial year, sales, incoming orders and adjusted EBIT were slightly up on the previous year.

Momentum is expected to increase further over the course of the year. Consensus estimates currently predict a 30% jump in earnings to EUR 88 per share.

Nevertheless, the share is largely flying under the radar as the company is not included in any of the major indices.

This is due to the fact that the majority of KSB shares are not freely tradable. The Johann Weiss Foundation holds over 90% of the ordinary shares.

For investors, the voting rights of ordinary shares are therefore effectively worthless. The preference share is therefore the better option, as it is cheaper and offers a higher yield of 3.2 %. Dividendenrendite of 3.2 %.

The KSB preference share currently has a P/E ratio of 10.9, compared with a long-term P/E ratio of 12.9.

The company has set itself ambitious long-term targets. As part of the "Mission TEN30" corporate strategy, the company is aiming for an annual order intake and turnover of more than EUR 4 billion and an EBIT margin of over 10% by 2030.

In relation to 2024, this would correspond to a 64% increase in EBIT

#

KSB SE share: chart from 28.07.2025, price: EUR 962 - symbol: KSB3 | Source: TWS

Major setbacks could turn out to be an opportunity. Anti-cyclical buy points are the Unterstützungenat EUR 826 and EUR 750

complete article

https://www.lynxbroker.de/boerse/boerse-kurse/aktien/ksb-vz-aktie/ksb-vz-analyse/?a=3355991664&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter-boersenblick&newsletter=true&mc-rss-cache-bypass=2025072906&goal=0_d93daae099-0feb40ae1f-410756260#ksb-warum-diese-unbekannte-aktie-plotzlich-durchstartet

They are not active in the field of artificial intelligence, nor do they produce weapons or make headlines. But they are solid and profitable: companies with solid growth, stable earnings and healthy balance sheets.

However, they are still largely ignored - which is precisely why they are cheap.

Three cash flow gems from the German equity universe - stocks with stability, cash flow and substance - that usually fly under the radar:

$NLM (+0,92 %) - Frozen food manufacturer Frosta

$EUK2 - port operator Eurokai

$CWC (+2,09 %) - Photo book champion Cewe

Welt" has identified further candidates with the help of three key figures: Cash flow yield, dividends and balance sheet stability.

$KSB (+4,29 %) - KSB. A company that specializes in pumps, valves and associated systems and is one of the world's leading suppliers. The share has risen by an average of 33 percent annually over the last five years, but is still cheaply valued.

$COK (-3,74 %) - Cancom. The company is one of Germany's leading IT service providers and supports companies in their digital transformation - from IT consulting to cloud and security solutions to the operation of complete infrastructures.

$UZU (+0,95 %) - Uzin Utz. The company is a typical "hidden champion": the Ulm-based family business specializes internationally in floor laying systems - from adhesives to machines - and is active in over 50 countries. Despite the weak construction industry, the company is proving robust. A solid balance sheet with a high equity ratio, stable cash flow and shareholder-friendly dividends ensure stability.

Six shares, six stories, one common denominator - solid figures, little hype and attractive potential

Source & graphic: "Welt", 21.07.25

$KSB (+4,29 %)
$NU (+4,41 %)
$RKLB (+13,89 %) and $7974 (+2,78 %) have pushed my portfolio so much this week that I am now about 0.5% away from my big milestone.

Will it happen today?

Probably not, but who knows. It's been a crazy week somehow.

Crate of beer is cold. I just don't like champagne.

Edit.

Not $7974 (+2,78 %) but $GS (+4,59 %) 😉

First dividend of $KSB (+4,29 %) received. It has already been booked into the clearing account but not yet into the account, but that always takes a few days at Volksbank

German winning stocks of the past five years

+603% SUSS Microtec $SMHN (+4,66 %)

+411% Rheinmetall $RHM (+1,02 %)

+329% Redcare Pharmacy $RDC (-5,44 %)

+326% ATOSS Software $AOF (-0,97 %)

+262% PNE $PNE3 (-0,06 %)

+258% Mutares $MUX (+0,32 %)

+232% Energiekontor $EKT (+1,72 %)

+231% GFT Technologies $GFT (-0,89 %)

+230% Elmos Semiconductor $ELG (+3,52 %)

+229% Adtran Networks $ADV (+0,22 %)

+161% Commerzbank $CBK (+0,53 %)

+146% Krones $KRN (+0,58 %)

+131% Hella $HLE (+0,42 %)

+126% Munich Re $MUV2 (+0,97 %)

+125% Deutsche Bank $DBK (+2,73 %)

+111% VERBIO $VBK (+1,12 %)

+111% KSB (Vz) $KSB (+4,29 %)

+109% Infineon $IFX (+2,65 %)

+109% Siemens $SIE (+2,79 %)

+107% Talanx $TLX (+2,44 %)

+103% Encavis $ECV

+100% SFC Energy $SFC

+95% Nemetschek $NEM (-0,49 %)

+93% Aixtron $AIXA (+1,24 %)

+90% flatexDEGIRO $FTK (+2,89 %)

+84% SAP $SAP (+3,03 %)

Which ones do you have in your portfolio or on your watchlist?

I sold Infineon and Elmos too early.

Hello dear community,

In view of the fact that there are now a lot of newcomers on the platform, I've created a graphic, typical of social media, to give you an overview of stocks that not everyone may have on their radar. It goes without saying that you can't know your way around every sector. But we have come together here in the community for a solid exchange.

But since we're here on Getquin and not on Instagram, here's some input for the inquisitive.

What do the companies do anyway?

Service providers:

On the service provider side, there are some rather atypical companies for the sector.

Here I have Friedrich Vorwerk $VH2 (-0,06 %) Vinci $DG (+6,37 %) , Ferrovial $FER , Bilfinger $GBF (+2,97 %) and Jacobs Solutions $J (+3,28 %) are listed here.

Their main focus is the background work on the properties themselves. They support the companies in planning, realization, construction and maintenance. They work decentrally in regional working groups to cover the breadth of the industry. They offer almost every service for an industrial company.

The established elite

If you want to invest in the hydrogen sector, all roads lead to the giants Linde $LIN (-3,69 %) Air Products $APD (-0,42 %) and Air Liquide $AI (+0,76 %) . Their market power in the field of industrial gases and in today's market environment of commercial hydrogen production seems irrefutable. Their know-how in the gaseous material production segment has been tried and tested for decades and the processes are almost perfectly optimized. Each company also has its own engineering divisions, making them perfectly positioned for the future in electrolyzer development.

The established newcomers

With plenty of money in their pockets, the oil companies Shell $SHEL (+0,25 %) Total $TTE (+0,77 %) and BP $BP. (+2,21 %) are also entering the segment. Oil is finite, but the business should not be. These companies are also experienced in dealing with hydrogen. Hydrogen is an essential component in the refinery process. In order to become less dependent on the big 3, new market areas are also being explored here. Will they be able to prove themselves?

Speculative titles

Never anything but expenses. Years of hype and yet a harsh reality hit the small fish in the shark tank surrounding the segment. Nel $NEL (+2,78 %) Plug Power $PLUG (+10,41 %) and Ballard $BLDP (+4,9 %) are long-suffering. They have never been able to deliver even remotely profitable figures. On the contrary, things seem to be getting worse quarter after quarter. Only turnover is increasing. Can that ever be good?

Plant engineering and equipment

Of course, in a globalized world, you no longer take care of the entire value chain from A-Z. Every company specializes in its own segment. The long-term beneficiaries of the industry are therefore the equipment suppliers, because they have to develop the technical foundations for every innovation in order to survive in the vastness of globalization.

The plant manufacturers

They manufacture the physical parts for the process plants.

Examples of this are Voestalpine $VOE (+1,78 %) , Atlas Copco $ATCO B or Sulzer $SUNE .

The suppliers

The transportation of substances is also part of this. Material transport in industry, but also at home, for example in water pipes, is ensured by pumps (for liquids) or compressors (for gases). Established brands here are KSB $KSB (+4,29 %) , Xylem $XYL (+1,86 %) , Gorrman-Rupp $GRC (+9,9 %) but also as a complete supplier Chart Industries $GTLS (+0,11 %) or SKF $SKF B (+0,65 %) or for specialized tools Stanley B&D $SWK (+2,7 %) .

Process control is also indispensable. Brands such as Siemens $SIE (+2,79 %) ABB $ABBN (+1,04 %) or Rockwell $ROK (+1,77 %) and Parker $PH (+0,62 %) have established themselves here. They not only supply the electronic equipment for the process systems. They also offer their software services as safety services so that safety in process control can always be guaranteed.

I hope I have given you a little insight into the industry and would be delighted to receive constructive feedback.

#wasserstoff
#h2
#hydrogen

Water - chemistry in everyday life

Today a topic is announced, which stood above all by Nestle $NESN (+1,06 %) in the last few months. But even on hot summer days, our livelihood and the business behind it are discussed again and again.

What was with Nestle?

Nestle is almost permanently in the criticism. I expressly ask that the activities and personal opinions under the post not be made known. The business unit "Nestle Waters" operates production sites in about 34 countries, for example for the table water "Pure Life". The criticism behind this refers to the production sites in areas where there is traditionally a shortage and, in accordance with pumping, the groundwater level is further lowered. I will leave it open whether Nestle is primarily to blame in this respect. In any case, it is important to remember that water licenses are officially sold to Nestle in all countries. Nevertheless, some YouTubers have realized that they can generate a lot of attention and money by denouncing international corporations. I hope at least that they will think about this in the future when they enjoy their Wagner pizza or their Kitkat in live streams. Otherwise, that would be tantamount to a double standard ...

Whatever one may think about it. There is definitely a danger of nationalization in the event of water shortages at private waterworks. Therefore, I would generally exclude an investment in this respect. In drinking water treatment, however, one cannot do without the private sector. The uses of the individual products are too varied for them to be used specifically for water.

But what is the situation in Germany?

Based on the Food Act, Germany has the Drinking Water Ordinance. The aim of the ordinance is to protect human health and to ensure quality and purity. Since the 2012 update, the problems of legionella have also been taken into account. The suppliers are responsible for this.

More precisely defined are the data in the annexes of the Drinking Water Ordinance itself. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/trinkwv_2001/BJNR095910001.html

But how do I now manage to make water usable?

Of course, this depends first and foremost on your regional origin. Water always has different quality classes and must be processed differently accordingly. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, almost 63% of drinking water comes from groundwater. Significant differences exist, however, especially in the east/west comparison. The irregular and ruthless planned economy of the former GDR has left its mark on the environment even today. In general, however, there are always strong impairments along the industrial metropolises. While the Saale, Oder, Ruhr and Ems rivers in particular bear the marks of industrialization, the soils around the chemical sites of central Germany in particular are still heavily impaired. I have taken corresponding accusations from the Water and Soil Atlas.

But why this huge introduction now?

Both in the air and in the soil we have countless impurities or even toxic particles. These are washed out by rain, get into the soil and thus ultimately into the groundwater.

In the course of this, suitable methods must now be found to maintain our drinking water quality.

Basically, we have the possibility to separate the substances from the water mechanically, thermally or chemically.

How does this work?

Due to the difference in regional water qualities, drinking water treatment must of course always be considered very specifically. Nevertheless, chemical treatment with ozone is always the first step. The treated drinking water is then fed into the public network via mechanical separation stages, such as sedimentation and filtration, through to chemical separation with regard to the degree of flocculation and pH value regulation. Samples are regularly taken by the authorities and tested in independent laboratories.

But who benefits from drinking water treatment?

From a personal point of view, I consider the investment in a private drinking water producer, such as Nestle or Danone, as risky. $BN (-0,92 %) as risky. One can be denounced too much in the public perception and the more likely a discontinuation of the table water can become. Furthermore, especially in countries where there are shortages, one may well expect nationalization of the production and treatment facilities.

In addition, there are lucrative and promising opportunities for participation in the suppliers.

An investment in the treatment of drinking water can necessarily be linked to the treatment of wastewater.

The most prominent representatives of the private sector in this regard are American Water Works $AWK (-1,34 %) , known as the dividend king. In direct competition, if one can call it competition at all, is Essential Utilites, but also United Utilites. $WTRG (-1,05 %) but also United Utilites $UU. (+0,34 %) in Great Britain.

On the German market, by the way, Veolia $VIE (+0,88 %) with its subsidiary Veolia Water dominates the German market. It holds countless stakes in municipal waterworks. All in all, according to its own website, it supplies about 5 million people in Germany with drinking water and processes their wastewater.

Apart from direct drinking water processing, there are also very lucrative suppliers of drinking water solutions and quality assurance. The best known example is probably Xylem $XYL (+1,86 %) . In addition to fluid technology, which includes pump construction and other equipment, the analytics division is a sunshine for investors. The broad range covers the entire field of water analysis. This means that the company does not only participate in municipal water systems, but also in industrial customers who are subject to legal requirements. It is almost impossible to find a direct competitor that is so broadly positioned in this segment.

However, if you want to give it a try, KSB's pumps division is $KSB (+4,29 %) is very representative in Europe. Whereas in the USA, IDEX $IEX (-1,09 %) can offer an alternative in the field of technical pumps.

But also in the field of chemical water and wastewater treatment, some companies have specialized.

Ecolab $ECL (+0,16 %) , better known for cleaning agents and disinfectants, has been owned by Nalco Water since 2011. The focus here is on water and wastewater treatment additives, which are also part of any drinking water processing. Notable among these are slime solvents for biocides and legionella, as well as corrosion protection additives and hardness stabilizers.

Another particular competitor is DuPont $DD (+1,39 %) . In particular, the "Water & Protection" division. The focus here is on special resins that can adsorb specific substances from water and also filter them. Depending on the sourcing, this extends into the nano- and ultrafiltration range. Ion exchangers can also be used to ensure higher water purity.

Have you used water today? Then you have probably already come into contact with one of these representatives.