Core Viewpoint - The company Oriental Materials announced a cross-industry investment plan involving a total of 48 million yuan, which includes an investment of 18 million yuan in Suzhou First Element Nanotechnology Co., Ltd. and the establishment of a joint venture named Carbon Nest Technology (Tengzhou) Co., Ltd. [2] Investment Details - The investment consists of a convertible debt of 18 million yuan, which can be converted into equity under certain conditions, and a direct investment of 30 million yuan in the joint venture, giving Oriental Materials a 30% stake [2][5] - The joint venture has a registered capital of 100 million yuan, with First Element contributing 40% through intellectual property or cash [2] Financial Performance of First Element - First Element reported cumulative losses exceeding 5.4 million yuan from 2024 to the first half of 2025, with projected revenues of 10.5 million yuan and a net loss of 4.15 million yuan for 2024, and revenues of 4.73 million yuan with a net loss of 1.32 million yuan for the first half of 2025 [3] Business Rationale - The Shanghai Stock Exchange questioned the commercial rationale behind investing in a loss-making asset, highlighting the significant differences between the core businesses of Oriental Materials and First Element [3] - Oriental Materials defended the investment by emphasizing First Element's status as a national high-tech enterprise and its core product, high-purity carbon nanofibers, which have applications in various battery technologies [3][4] Production Capacity and Market Potential - First Element's subsidiary has a production capacity of 4.67 tons of carbon nanofiber powder and 65.5 tons of carbon nanofiber slurry for 2024 [3] - The joint venture aims to produce 1,000 tons of conductive slurry and 30 million square meters of CNTp-3D current collectors, which is expected to enhance the competitiveness of China's battery industry [7] Shareholder and Management Background - The joint venture includes a former executive of Oriental Materials, who has relevant experience and management capabilities, although the company clarified that there are no conflicts of interest [6] - The intellectual property contributed by First Element has not yet been evaluated for its value [6] Future Risks - The company acknowledged potential risks, including the possibility that First Element may face financing challenges, which could hinder the conversion of debt to equity [7]