TINCI(SZ:002709) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-09 09:15Core Viewpoint - The company Tianqi Materials has submitted an IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, surprising the industry due to the short time frame since its initial announcement to go public [1] Group 1: Company Background - Founded in 2000 by Xu Jinfeng, Tianqi Materials is the world's largest electrolyte manufacturer, initially focusing on daily chemical materials before shifting to lithium battery electrolytes [3][5] - The company has maintained the top global position in electrolyte shipments for nine consecutive years, achieving a market share of 35.7% in 2024 [5] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2022, Tianqi reported revenue of 22.3 billion RMB and a net profit of over 5.8 billion RMB, but by the first half of 2025, revenue had plummeted to 7 billion RMB with a net profit of only 2.65 million RMB [8][12] - The price of lithium battery materials has significantly decreased, from 48,300 RMB per ton in 2022 to 13,800 RMB in 2024, leading to a drop in gross margin from 38.6% to 17% [10][11] Group 3: IPO Purpose and Fund Allocation - The IPO aims to raise funds primarily for global expansion, with 80% allocated to international projects, 10% for research and development of next-generation materials, and 10% for working capital [11] Group 4: Market Challenges - The company faces significant pressure due to overcapacity in the domestic electrolyte market, with a utilization rate of only 60% in 2024, leading to price wars [22][24] - Heavy reliance on major clients poses a risk, as the top five clients accounted for at least 58.7% of revenue, with the largest client contributing between 39% and 54.5% [19][20] Group 5: Strategic Moves - The trend of lithium battery companies moving to the Hong Kong market is evident, with Tianqi following suit to attract international capital and facilitate overseas expansion [22][24] - The company plans to establish production bases in Morocco and the U.S. to tap into the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions in those markets [27][29] Group 6: Future Outlook - The success of Tianqi's IPO and overseas expansion will depend on effective fund utilization, timely construction of new facilities, and breakthroughs in solid-state electrolyte research [31] - The company's proactive approach to seeking new markets may serve as a model for other lithium battery firms facing similar challenges in the domestic market [34]