广州富豪，索赔9个亿

Core Viewpoint - A legal battle is unfolding between two billion-dollar companies, Tian Ci Materials and Yongtai Technology, over allegations of trade secret theft and defamation, with significant financial claims involved [2][8]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - Tian Ci Materials, controlled by Xu Jinfeng, has filed a civil lawsuit against 12 parties, including former chief engineer Li Sheng and competitor Yongtai Technology, seeking nearly 900 million yuan in damages [2][5]. - Yongtai Technology has countered with a defamation lawsuit against Tian Ci, demanding 57.52 million yuan in compensation [2][8]. - The key figure in this dispute is Li Sheng, who allegedly leaked proprietary technology related to lithium hexafluorophosphate production to Yongtai Technology [3][5]. Group 2: Company Background - Tian Ci Materials, based in Jiangxi, generated 10.8 billion yuan in revenue last year, accounting for approximately 86% of its total revenue, and has invested over 1.1 billion yuan in R&D over the past three years [5][11]. - The company is recognized as a leading technology enterprise in its region, with over 300 patent applications [5]. - Xu Jinfeng, the founder of Tian Ci, transitioned from consumer goods to lithium battery materials, capitalizing on the domestic market's reliance on imported materials [18][21]. Group 3: Market Position and Competition - Tian Ci Materials is one of the few companies capable of producing lithium hexafluorophosphate domestically, achieving a 40% cost advantage over competitors [11][20]. - The company has established a strong customer base, including major battery manufacturers like CATL and LG Chem, with over 500,000 tons of electrolyte sold last year [11]. - Yongtai Technology, also a player in the electrolyte market, is accused of using Tian Ci's trade secrets, which raises questions about the integrity of their production processes [13][14]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Challenges - The price of lithium hexafluorophosphate has seen a significant decline, dropping from a peak of 600,000 yuan per ton in early 2022 to 50,000 yuan by July 2023, impacting Tian Ci's profitability [21]. - Tian Ci reported a 74.4% year-on-year decline in profits, earning only 480 million yuan last year, while Xu Jinfeng's net worth has decreased significantly [21][22]. - Despite challenges, the company has improved production efficiency and profitability in the first quarter of this year, generating 150 million yuan [22][23].