Zhong Guo Chan Ye Jing Ji Xin Xi Wang·2025-11-28 00:34Core Viewpoint - The battery industry is increasingly focusing on upstream investments to secure key resources, with companies like Ningde Times and Tianhua New Energy forming strategic partnerships to enhance supply chain stability and meet growing market demand [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Transactions and Partnerships - Tianhua New Energy announced a transfer of 108 million unrestricted shares to Ningde Times for a total price of 2.635 billion yuan, which represents 12.95% of Tianhua's total shares [1]. - After the transaction, Ningde Times will hold 13.54% of Tianhua New Energy, becoming a significant strategic shareholder [1]. - This is not the first collaboration between the two companies; Ningde Times previously held 0.59% of Tianhua and has been involved in joint ventures such as Tianyi Lithium Industry, focusing on lithium hydroxide production [2]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Capacity Expansion - Major battery manufacturers, including Ningde Times, are actively expanding their upstream resource integration to ensure stable supply chains amid increasing demand for lithium resources [4]. - Ningde Times is expanding its production capacity across multiple locations, with significant expansions planned in Jining, Guangdong, and other regions, including an expected addition of over 100 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2026 in Jining [5]. - The lithium market has seen a price recovery, with lithium carbonate prices rising from around 60,000 yuan/ton to over 70,000 yuan/ton since the second half of the year [7]. Group 3: Future Market Outlook - Analysts predict that global lithium carbonate production could reach approximately 1.37 million tons by 2025, with China contributing about 70% of this output [7]. - The demand for energy storage and power batteries is expected to grow significantly due to favorable policies and market conditions, leading to a sustained high demand for lithium resources [7]. - The lithium supply-demand balance is anticipated to shift towards tight equilibrium between 2025 and 2028, with lithium prices expected to stabilize between 80,000 and 100,000 yuan/ton by 2026 [7].