起点锂电·2025-07-22 11:09Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of 51% stake in Shanghai Zijiang New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. by *ST Weir is seen as a strategic move to enter the lithium battery materials industry, potentially providing new growth momentum for the company's future performance [2][5]. Group 1: Transaction Details - *ST Weir plans to acquire the stake for a total price of 546 million yuan [2]. - The transaction involves multiple parties, including Zijiang Enterprises and Ningde New Energy, with Zijiang Enterprises retaining a 31.05% stake post-transaction [5]. - This transaction is characterized as a related party transaction, as both *ST Weir and Zijiang Enterprises share the same actual controller, Shen Wen [5]. Group 2: Business Overview of Zijiang New Materials - Zijiang New Materials specializes in the research, production, and sales of aluminum-plastic films for soft-pack lithium batteries, holding the title of a national-level "little giant" enterprise [6]. - The company has a significant market presence, with a sales volume of 51.277 million square meters in 2024 and a domestic market share of 22.2% [6]. - Major clients include well-known lithium battery manufacturers such as ATL, BYD, and Xinwangda [6][7]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Projections - Zijiang New Materials reported revenues of 711.3872 million yuan, 623.4211 million yuan, and 155.3505 million yuan for the years 2023, 2024, and the first quarter of 2025, respectively, with net profits of 90.2365 million yuan, 53.5151 million yuan, and 10.1226 million yuan [9]. - A significant decline in net profit of 40.7% is anticipated for 2024 [9]. - The transaction includes performance commitments from the sellers, ensuring net profits of no less than 65.5 million yuan, 78.5 million yuan, and 95.8 million yuan for the years 2025 to 2027 [10]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The soft-pack battery market faces challenges due to the competitive advantages of CTP/CTB technologies and cost disadvantages compared to square and cylindrical batteries, leading to a decline in the market share of soft-pack batteries [10]. - However, innovations in technology are expanding the application scenarios for soft-pack batteries, with companies like BYD utilizing aluminum-plastic films in blade battery packaging [10][11]. - The transition to semi-solid and solid-state battery technologies is expected to create new market opportunities for aluminum-plastic film products [11]. Group 5: IPO Challenges and Future Outlook - Zijiang New Materials has faced multiple setbacks in its IPO attempts, including a withdrawal of its listing application after failing to secure approval for both the Sci-Tech Innovation Board and the Growth Enterprise Market [12]. - The acquisition by *ST Weir raises questions about whether it can provide an alternative route to IPO for Zijiang New Materials, especially given *ST Weir's own financial struggles and history of losses [13].