Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" and is maintained [9]. Core Views - The company’s subsidiary, Baileyan Europe, signed an asset purchase agreement with Venator UK to acquire assets related to the titanium dioxide business for a total consideration of $69.9 million, with additional estimated taxes of approximately $14.19 million [2][6]. - The acquisition aims to enhance the company's international competitiveness and service overseas customers, with plans to establish subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK with investments of $5 million and $50 million, respectively [6]. - The acquisition of Venator UK, a key player in the high-end chloride titanium dioxide market, is expected to strengthen the company's position globally and improve production efficiency and sales structure [14]. - The company is expanding its upstream resource scale, focusing on projects that will increase titanium concentrate and iron concentrate production capacities significantly [14]. Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The company plans to acquire Venator UK's titanium dioxide-related assets, which include land, buildings, machinery, and inventory, with a net asset value of approximately $195 million as of August 31, 2025 [2][6]. Market Strategy - The company is responding to anti-dumping investigations in various regions by implementing an overseas expansion strategy, which includes establishing new factories to be closer to end markets and mitigate high anti-dumping taxes [14]. Financial Projections - The projected net profits for the company from 2025 to 2027 are estimated to be 2.29 billion, 3.17 billion, and 3.98 billion yuan, respectively [14].

Group 1 - Longbai Group signed an asset acquisition agreement with Venator UK to acquire a titanium dioxide production facility in Gresham, UK for $69.9 million [1] - The book value of the acquired assets is approximately $195 million, with a historical cost of about $534 million and accumulated depreciation of around $339 million [1] - Venator UK is one of the four major titanium dioxide producers in Europe and North America, operating the only facility that produces titanium dioxide via the chloride process, with a designed annual capacity of 150,000 tons [1][2] Group 2 - Venator UK, previously part of Hunstman Group, faced financial difficulties due to rising energy costs and increased market competition, leading to the closure of its German plant and the suspension of production in Asia [2] - Longbai Group plans to establish subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK with investments of $5 million and $50 million, respectively, to promote overseas business development [1]

Group 1 - The recent development in the titanium dioxide industry involves a lawsuit filed by Longbai Group against former executives and a steel company for alleged infringement of trade secrets, with the case amounting to 1.31 billion yuan [2][4] - Longbai Group's subsidiary, Yunnan Metallurgical New Titanium Industry Co., Ltd., is the plaintiff in this case, which highlights the challenges of managing trade secrets in high-tech industries, especially concerning former employees [2][4] - The lawsuit is centered around the proprietary technology related to the chloride process for titanium dioxide production, which is increasingly becoming the mainstream method due to its efficiency and environmental benefits [3][4] Group 2 - The defendants, who previously held significant positions at Yunnan New Titanium, allegedly used the company's trade secrets to assist a related company of Hebei Yanshan Steel in planning and constructing a titanium dioxide production line [4][6] - Longbai Group is seeking a court order to stop the defendants from using the trade secrets and to destroy any materials containing these secrets, along with a compensation claim of 1.3005 billion yuan for economic losses [6][7] - The ongoing legal disputes reflect the intense competition and significant financial stakes in the titanium dioxide market, which has seen declining prices impacting Longbai Group's financial performance [6][5]

Group 1 - Longbai Group's wholly-owned subsidiary, Bailian Hong Kong, plans to invest $5 million to establish a subsidiary in Malaysia and $50 million to set up a subsidiary in the UK [1] - Longbai Group announced the acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide business assets, aiming to create a foothold for its titanium dioxide operations in Europe [1] - The company is the largest titanium dioxide producer globally and one of the few suppliers with both sulfate and chloride processes, indicating strong operational resilience and growth potential [1]

Core Viewpoint - Longbai Group announced the acquisition of titanium dioxide assets from Venator UK for $69.9 million, marking a strategic move to expand its presence in the European and American markets [2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Longbai Group's subsidiary, Baililian Europe, will acquire the titanium dioxide business assets from Venator UK for $69.9 million in cash, with additional tax liabilities of approximately $14.19 million [2]. - The assets have a book value of approximately $534 million and a net book value of $195 million, with the acquisition price being only 35.8% of the net book value [3]. - Venator UK is facing financial difficulties and has filed for the appointment of an administrator, which is a condition for the completion of the transaction [3]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition aligns with Longbai Group's long-term development strategy, enhancing its global industrial layout and expanding its product matrix in chlorinated titanium dioxide [4]. - Post-acquisition, the company plans to integrate the acquired assets across production, supply chain, and sales channels to reduce operational costs and optimize sales systems [4]. - Longbai Group will also invest $55 million to establish Longbai UK Titanium Limited and Longbai Asia New Materials Limited in the UK and Malaysia, respectively, to support overseas business development [4]. Group 3: Management and Integration Challenges - The acquisition may face challenges in cultural and management integration due to differences in regional practices and company cultures [4]. - Longbai Group will need to address potential management, human resources, and internal control challenges as it scales up its operations following the acquisition [4].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that China, as the largest titanium dioxide producer globally, is positioned to increase its market share due to the shutdown of several overseas production facilities [2][3] - In 2024, China's titanium dioxide production capacity is expected to account for 56% of the global total, with the CR4 concentration at 44% [2] - The domestic titanium dioxide industry is characterized by a structure of "one strong leader, multiple strong players, and a long tail," with Longbai Group leading in capacity and market share [3] Group 2 - The domestic demand for titanium dioxide is closely related to the real estate sector, with a positive correlation between housing construction and apparent consumption [4] - Despite anti-dumping investigations from several countries, there remain opportunities for China's titanium dioxide exports due to high dependency on imports in some major markets [4] - The average operating rate for domestic titanium dioxide was 70% from January to August 2025, leading to a significant accumulation of inventory and a downward trend in prices [5] Group 3 - The price difference for domestic sulfuric acid titanium dioxide products reached 5,278 yuan/ton as of September 19, marking the lowest level since 2006 [5] - Approximately 19% of the titanium dioxide production capacity in China is over 20 years old, indicating a significant portion of aging capacity in the industry [6] Group 4 - Longbai Group is highlighted as a key player in the industry, with a comprehensive layout across the titanium value chain, including titanium dioxide, sponge titanium, zirconium products, and lithium battery materials [7] - The company has a production capacity of 1.51 million tons per year for titanium dioxide and 80,000 tons per year for sponge titanium, both ranking first globally [7] - Longbai Group possesses multiple mining rights, ensuring a stable supply of titanium concentrate for production [7]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" (maintained) [2][4][14] Core Views - The acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide assets at a low price is a strategic move by the company during the industry adjustment period, further consolidating its position as a global industry leader [4][5] - The establishment of subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK is part of the company's globalization strategy, aimed at increasing its global market share [4][9] - The domestic titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate market remains relatively loose in the short term, with expectations for further industry consolidation and an increase in the proportion of high-end chloride process capacity, laying the groundwork for future market stabilization [4][10] Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The company’s subsidiary, Baileyan Europe, acquired titanium dioxide-related assets from Venator UK for USD 69.9 million, which includes land, production and R&D equipment, spare parts, business records, registered intellectual property across multiple regions, and inventory located in the UK and Switzerland. The book value of the assets is approximately USD 534 million, with a net value of USD 195 million, indicating a significant discount on the transaction price [3][5] - The company will also incur about USD 14.19 million in VAT, stamp duty, and other taxes, with the final amount adjusted based on inventory at the time of closing [3][5] Global Expansion Strategy - The company plans to invest USD 5 million to establish "Longbai Asia New Materials Co., Ltd." in Malaysia, focusing on import-export trade, chemical production, and technical services [3][9] - Additionally, it will invest USD 50 million to set up "Longbai UK Titanium Co., Ltd." in the UK, specializing in the production and sales of titanium dioxide [3][9] Market Conditions - The domestic market for titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate has seen a price decline, with the average price of rutile titanium dioxide around CNY 12,997 per ton, down 14% year-on-year and 9% quarter-on-quarter [10] - The supply side shows continued expansion in domestic titanium dioxide capacity, with operational rates around 70% and additional projects in the pipeline, contributing to market looseness [10] Financial Projections - The company’s projected net profits for 2025-2027 are CNY 29.98 billion, CNY 35.05 billion, and CNY 38.10 billion, respectively, with corresponding EPS of CNY 1.26, CNY 1.47, and CNY 1.60 [4][14]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" [2][4][14] Core Views - The acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide assets at a significantly discounted price is a strategic move by the company during an industry adjustment period, further solidifying its position as a global industry leader [4][5] - The establishment of subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK is part of the company's globalization strategy, aimed at enhancing its global market share [4][9] - The domestic titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate market remains relatively loose in the short term, with expectations for increased industry concentration and a potential rise in the share of high-end chloride process capacity, laying the groundwork for future market stabilization [4][10] Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The company’s subsidiary, Ba Li Lian Europe, acquired titanium dioxide-related assets from Venator UK for USD 69.9 million, which includes land, production and R&D equipment, spare parts, business records, registered intellectual property across multiple regions, and inventory located in the UK and Switzerland. The book value of the assets is approximately USD 534 million, with a net value of USD 195 million, indicating a significant discount on the transaction price [3][5] - The company will also incur about USD 14.19 million in VAT and stamp duty, with the final amount subject to adjustment based on inventory at the time of closing [3][5] Global Expansion Strategy - The company plans to invest USD 5 million to establish "Longbai Asia New Materials Co., Ltd." in Malaysia, focusing on import-export trade, chemical production, and technical services. Additionally, it will invest USD 50 million to set up "Longbai UK Titanium Co., Ltd." in the UK, dedicated to the production and sale of titanium dioxide [3][9] - These investments have been approved by the company's board and will not adversely affect its financial status [3][9] Market Outlook - The domestic market for titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate has seen a decline in average prices, with expectations for further industry consolidation. The average price for rutile titanium dioxide in Q3 2025 is approximately CNY 12,997 per ton, down 14% year-on-year and 9% quarter-on-quarter [10] - The supply side continues to expand, with domestic production capacity reaching 5.9 million tons and an operating rate of about 70%. The market remains under pressure due to high inventory levels and weak downstream demand [10]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Longbai Group (002601) [1] Core Views - Longbai Group is accelerating its global expansion through various initiatives, particularly in the titanium dioxide business, which is expected to see both volume and price increases [3][4] - The acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide assets is aimed at establishing a stronghold in the European market, enhancing production capabilities and optimizing sales structures [9][10] - The establishment of subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK is part of the company's strategy to mitigate the impact of anti-dumping duties and strengthen its global presence [12] Financial Performance and Projections - As of October 16, 2025, Longbai Group's stock price is 19.45 CNY, with a market capitalization of approximately 46.41 billion CNY [6] - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at 295.49 billion CNY, 318.89 billion CNY, and 340.26 billion CNY respectively, with corresponding net profits of 27.63 billion CNY, 33.48 billion CNY, and 40.10 billion CNY [14][15] - The company is expected to maintain a strong return on equity (ROE) of 12% in 2025, increasing to 16% by 2027 [15] Market Position and Strategy - Longbai Group is the largest titanium dioxide producer globally, with a production capacity of 1.51 million tons per year for titanium dioxide and 80,000 tons per year for sponge titanium [13] - The company is one of the few suppliers that utilize both sulfate and chloride processes for titanium dioxide production, allowing for a diversified product offering [13] - The recent increase in titanium dioxide prices, driven by market demand, positions the company favorably for future growth [13]

Core Viewpoint - Longbai Group's subsidiary, Billions Europe Ltd, has signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire titanium dioxide-related assets from Venator UK for $69.9 million, which is significantly below the asset's book value of approximately $195 million, indicating a strategic acquisition opportunity [1][2][3] Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The acquisition involves the purchase of assets including land, buildings, machinery, spare parts, business records, intellectual property, and inventory related to the titanium dioxide business [2] - The purchase price of $69.9 million represents only 35.8% of the book value of the assets, showcasing a substantial discount [3] Strategic Importance - The acquisition targets Venator UK's chloride titanium dioxide production technology and capacity, which is the only facility under Venator Materials PLC capable of producing this type of titanium dioxide, with a designed annual capacity of 150,000 tons [1][3] - This move is expected to enhance Longbai Group's product matrix in chloride titanium dioxide and support its global industrial layout [4] Financial Context - The assets have a book value of approximately $534 million, with a net value of about $195 million after accounting for depreciation of around $339 million [2] - The transaction is seen as a high-value investment given the significant discount to the asset's book value [3] Additional Investments - Concurrently, Longbai Group plans to invest $55 million to establish two wholly-owned subsidiaries in the UK and Malaysia, furthering its international expansion strategy [6][7] - The UK subsidiary, named "LB British Titanium Industry Co., Ltd," will focus on the production and sales of titanium dioxide, potentially managing the acquired business from Venator UK [6] - The Malaysian subsidiary, "LB Advanced Material Asia Sdn. Bhd.," will have a broader scope, including the production and sale of chemicals and providing technical services [6][7] Market Positioning - The overseas investments are part of Longbai Group's strategy to enhance its international competitiveness and market share, aiming for sustainable long-term development [7]