Tai Mei Ti A P P·2025-07-04 09:21Core Viewpoint - The legal battle between Tianqi Materials and Yongtai Technology highlights the intensifying competition in the lithium battery materials industry, with both companies accusing each other of intellectual property infringement and defamation [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Disputes - Tianqi Materials has filed a civil lawsuit against 12 defendants, including Yongtai Technology, claiming a total of 887 million yuan for commercial secret infringement [1][2]. - In response, Yongtai Technology has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Tianqi Materials, seeking 57.52 million yuan in damages [1][3]. - The dispute centers around the technology for liquid lithium hexafluorophosphate, with both companies asserting their claims regarding the ownership and use of this technology [1][2]. Group 2: Company Background and Financial Performance - Both Tianqi Materials and Yongtai Technology are publicly listed companies that produce mainstream electrolyte materials, including lithium hexafluorophosphate, leading to direct competition [4]. - Tianqi Materials reported a revenue of 12.518 billion yuan for 2024, a year-on-year decline of 18.74%, and a net profit of 484 million yuan, down 74.4% [5]. - Yongtai Technology, while ending its revenue decline in 2024, still faced a net loss of 478 million yuan [5][6]. Group 3: Industry Context - The competition in the lithium battery materials sector has intensified due to fluctuations in the new energy vehicle market, leading to frequent intellectual property disputes [6]. - The price of lithium hexafluorophosphate has seen significant volatility, dropping to 84,000 yuan per ton in 2015 and rising to 590,000 yuan per ton in early 2022, before stabilizing at an average of 51,900 yuan per ton as of July 2 [6]. - The ongoing legal disputes reflect a broader trend in the new energy industry, where competition has shifted from capacity expansion to the defense of technological sovereignty and intellectual property rights [6].