(Reuters) -Mersen pushed back its financial targets until 2029 on Thursday due to a temporary slowdown in the electric vehicle and silicon carbide semiconductor markets.

Many chipmakers exposed to silicon carbide, a more efficient semiconductor material used to increase the range of EVs, have recently cut or delayed their financial targets.

The French advanced materials supplier expects to reach sales of around 1.7 billion euros ($1.8 billion) and an operating margin before non-recurring items of around 12% two years later than originally planned, it said ahead of its capital markets day.

"2025 will be a year of transition for Mersen due to a temporary slowdown in the electric vehicle and SiC semiconductor markets," it said in the statement.

The production of transistors and wafers - critical components in the semiconductor industry used extensively in EVs - is projected to recover in the second half of 2026, returning to previously anticipated levels, Mersen CEO Luc Themelin said at the capital market day.

On geopolitical tensions, CFO Thomas Baumgartner recognised the potential challenges posed by customs barriers but highlighted that their impact should be minimal, as 80% of Mersen's sourcing is secured through local suppliers.

But he said that substantial disruptions affecting these suppliers could indirectly impact the company's operations.

Mersen's shares rose 2.2% to 20 euros by 0929 GMT.

Analyst Sandrine Cauvin from Gilbert Dupont said the change to Mersen's targets meant there was less room for further negative news down the line.

Cauvin said the news did not come as surprise after major Mersen customers like Wolfspeed recently flagged weaknesses in the silicon carbide market.

STMicroelectronics and Infineon, which like Wolfspeed are among the world's largest silicon carbide chipmakers, have also warned of a subdued 2025.

Cauvin said the earnings visibility would remain low until there were signs of recovery in the EV and SiC markets.

($1 = 0.9499 euros)