3 6 Ke·2025-11-06 09:49Core Insights - The acquisition of a 12.95% stake in Tianhua New Energy by CATL for 2.635 billion yuan is seen as a strategic move to enhance its upstream positioning in the competitive battery industry [2][3] - The share transfer price of 24.49 yuan per share represents a 19% discount compared to the closing price of 30.42 yuan on the announcement day, indicating a unique financial strategy in the current A-share market [3] - The deal allows CATL to gain significant influence in Tianhua New Energy's decision-making process by securing two board seats, thus transitioning from a supplier to a strategic shareholder [3] Strategic Intent - CATL aims to position itself in next-generation battery technology, leveraging Tianhua New Energy's advancements in solid-state battery materials, which includes a project for producing 5,200 tons of high-nickel ternary cathode materials annually [4] - The acquisition strengthens CATL's resource security by tapping into Tianhua New Energy's established global lithium resource network, which spans regions from Africa to South America [4] - This investment is part of CATL's broader strategy to build a comprehensive industrial ecosystem by investing in key material companies, following previous investments in Hunan Youneng and Luoyang Molybdenum [4] Industry Trends - The trend of vertical integration is becoming a mainstream choice in the global battery industry, as evidenced by CATL's investment and similar moves by other leading companies like Tesla and BYD [6] - The volatility in lithium carbonate prices, which have dropped from 500,000 yuan per ton to below 100,000 yuan, poses significant cost control challenges for battery manufacturers [6] - Tianhua New Energy is also pursuing upstream integration, planning to acquire a 75% stake in Tianhua Times to enhance its lithium resource capabilities [6] Future Collaboration - CATL has committed to not reducing its stake in Tianhua New Energy for 18 months post-acquisition, allowing both companies ample time to deepen their business integration [7] - The focus will shift towards translating the equity relationship into tangible business synergies, requiring collaboration in technology development, production planning, and market expansion [7]